
COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 






7 



THE PLAYS OF 
HENRY ARTHUR JONES 



THE MIDDLEMAN 

a HMas in four acts 

BY 

HENRY ARTHUR JONES 

Copyright, 1907, by Henry Arthur Jones 



PRICE 50 CENTS 



NEW YORK 


LONDON 


SAMUEL FRENCH 


SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd 


PUBLISHER 


26 Southampton St., 


24 West 22D Street 


Strand 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



A PLAY IN FOUR ACTS 



S3% 
~~7 



HENRY ARTHUR JONES 



Copyright, 1907, by Henry Arthur Jones 



NEW YORK 
SAMUEL FRENCH 

PUBLISHER 

26 WEST 22D STREET 



LONDON 

SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 

26 Southampton Street 

STRAND 



LIBRARY of CONGi ESS 

Two Copies Ket&lreu 

DEC 12 190? 

UOtviigm tnir* 
Pfec 6 ' W 

'copy s. 



PERSONS REPRESENTED. 

Cyrus Blenkarn. 

Joseph Chandler (Proprietor of the Tatlow Porcelain 

Works). 

Captain Julian Chandler (his son). 

Batty Todd (Chandler's manager). 

Jesse Pegg. 

Sir Seaton Umfraville. 

Daneper (A Reporter). 

Vachell. 

Epiphany Danes (of Gawcott-in-the-Moors). 

Postman. 

Dutton. 

Servant. 

Mary ) 

y (Blenkarn's Daughters). 

Mrs. Chandler. 
Maud Chandler. 
Lady Umfraville. 
Felicia Umfraville. 



SYNOPSIS OF SCENERY. 
ACT I. 

" Caterpillars of the Commonwealth." 
Scene.— Drawing-room at Tatlow Hall. One day passes. 

ACT II. 
" My Daughter ! What of Her ? " 

Scene.— Work-room in Blenkarn's House. Six months 
pass. 

ACT III. 
" A Waxen Image 'gainst a Fire." 
Scene. — The Firing-house. Two years and a half pass. 

ACT IV. 
"The Wheel is Come Full Circle." 
Scene. — Drawing-room at Tatlow Hall. 

The whole of the action takes place in the Town of Tatlow 
at the present day. 



The following is a copy of the playbill of the first per- 
formance of" The Middleman" at the Shaftesbury 
Theatre, London : 

ON TUESDAY, AUGUST 27TH, 1889, AND EVERY EVENING AT 8, 

will be acted a New and Original Play, of Modern English Life, 
in Four Acts, entitled, 

THE MIDDLEMAN 

By HENRY ARTHUR JONES. 



Cyrus Blenkarn Mr. Willard. 

Joseph Chandler (of the Tat low 

Porcelain Works) Mr. Mackintosh. 

Captain Julian Chandler (his 

son) Mr. Henry V. Esmond. 

Batty Todd (Chandler's managing 

man) Mr. H. Cane. 

Jesse Pegg Mr. E. W. Garden. 

Sir Seaton Umfraville Mr. Ivan Watson. 

Daneper (Reporter) Mr. W. E. Blatchley. 

Vachell Mr. Royston Keith. 

Epiphany Danes (of Gawcott-in- 

the-Moors) Mr. Cecil Crofton. 

Postman Mr. T. Sydney. 

Dutton ..Mr. Rimbault. 

Servant Mr. Hugh Harting. 

Mary ) ( Miss Maud Millett. 

Nancy \ ( Blenkarn ' s Daughters), -j Migg Annie Hugheg> 

Mrs. Chandler Mrs. E. H. Brooke. 

Maud Chandler Miss Agnes Verity. 

Lady Umfraville Miss Josephine St. Ange. 

Felicia Umfraville Miss Eva Moore. 



The following is a copy of the playbill of the original 

production of " The Middleman" in America, at 

Palmer's Theatre, New York, Nov. 10, 1890. 

MONDAY EVENING, NOVE/1BER io, 1890, AND EVERY EVENING AT 8. 

FIRST APPEARANCE IN AMERICA OF 

Mr. E. S. WILLARD 
in a New and Original play of Modern English Life, entitled 

THE MIDDLEMAN 

By HENRY ARTHUR JONES. 



Cast of Gbaracters. 

Cyrus Blenkarn (his original 

character) Mr. E. S. Willard. 

Joseph Chandler (of the Tatlow 

Porcelain Works) Mr. Chas. Harbury. 

(His first appearance here.) 
Captain Julian Chandler (his 

son) Mr. E. M. Bell. 

Batty Todd (Chandler's managing 

man) Mr. Harry Cane. 

(His first appearance here.) 

Jesse Pegg Mr. E. W. Gardiner. 

(His first appearance here.) 

Sir Seaton Umfraville Mr. Sant Matthews. 

(His first appearance here.) 

Daneper (Reporter) Mr. Percy Winter. 

Vachell Mr. Lysander Thompson. 

Epiphany Danes (of Gawcott-in- 

the-Moors) Mr. Harry Holliday. 

Postman Mr. Sidney Booth. 

Dutton Mr. Hugh Harting. 

Mary ) „, , , ( Mrs. Marie Burroughs. 

Nancy \ (Beam's daughters), -j Misg Agnes MiUer 

Mrs. Chandler Mrs. E. J. Phillips. 

Maude Chandler Mrs. Vida Croly. 

Lady Umfraville Miss Katherine Rogers. 

Felicia Umfraville Miss Maxine Elliott. 

7 



TO E. S. WILLARD. 

My dear Willard, 

In publishing " The Middleman " eighteen years 
after its production, I am sadly conscious that much 
of it is old-fashioned in manner and form. And if 
the matter and substance of the play are still in- 
teresting to playgoers, it is because the story repeats 
some rude enforcement of that old perennial, 
message to the oppressor, " Behold the hire of 
the labourers who have reaped down your fields, 
which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth : and the 
cries of them which have reaped are entered into 
the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth." 

I hope, however, that some excuse may be found 
for me in printing a play that has so long been 
popular on both sides the Atlantic. Perhaps I may 
claim that its publication will at least serve to show 
how much, and in what directions, the English 
drama has moved in these twenty years. But I 
think I can find a better justification for the appear- 
ance of the play in this form. Amongst the many 
thousands, perhaps millions, who have seen " The 
Middleman," there must be many who would like 
to revive in their own homes the memory of your 
performance of the old potter. By reading the 
play, they will be able to see how deeply I am in- 
debted to you for your impersonation of Cyrus 
Blenkarn. 

On seeing " The Middleman " a year or so ago, 
I was delighted to find that your performance re- 
tained all its old fire and passion, all its old charm 
and variety. So far as I could remember and 
compare, it did not sensibly differ from the perform- 
9 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ance on the first night, so fortunate and memorable 
for both of us, August 27th, 1889. It had mel- 
lowed, but it had not decayed: it had, perhaps, 
gained in sweetness, but it had not lost in strength. 
In asking you to accept the dedication of " The 
Middleman," I am glad to renew in public the per- 
sonal thanks I have often rendered to you; and to 
own how much of the success of the play has been 
due to your singularly powerful and impassioned 
realization of Cyrus Blenkarn. 
I am, 
Always faithfully and gratefully yours, 
Henry Arthur Jones. 
March 29th, 1907. 



10 



XHB MrDDLELSLO" 
ACT I. 

QaTden Cloth. 



.Inner Room j^. 



</0' 



■J "Windows i- 



O. 



j __^ ws Arc}' w . ay ._ 



Conservatory 



D 






Chair ^ 



III! 

1 



<^ °- J °"* 



Wing Opening 



Q Fancy I 



•0>vO : 



J 



-j M.udeO^I 
VMre.0 



Arm Chair [3 
Writing Table 



Q 

ICY StbXid 

u 



O 



t> 



o 



ACT I. 

Scene. — Drawing-room at Tatlow Hall. Discover 
Chandler at open window left addressing crowd 
without. Daneper 1 taking notes of speech. Sir 
Seton Umfraville yawning left. Lady Um- 
fraville and Mrs. Chandler on settee. 2 Maud 
and Felicia. 3 Batty Todd 4 applauding and 
shouting " Bravo " in a very enthusiastic manner. 
As curtain rises, great cheers are heard without. 5 
When the cheers subside, Chandler, a smug, fat, 
prosperous-looking man of fifty, with the manners 
of an upper class commercial man, continues his 
speech. 

Chan. 
(continuing speech with considerable hesitation) 
Yes — gentlemen — as your worthy mayor has called 
me — a King of Commerce — ah — ra — I'm proud of 
the title— (Shouts outside " Hear! Hear! " Cheers 
continued. Todd always cheering and clapping his 
hands) I'm proud of representing that great com- 
mercial spirit of the age which — ah — ra — has made 
England what she is to-day — (Cheers outside, 
"Here! Hear! Bravo!) Which— ah— ra— has 
covered her through the length and breadth of the 
land with — ah — ra — railways and factories and 
mines — and chimneys and steam-engines — and — so 
— on — I — ah — ra — (gets stuck, stops.) 

Todd. 
(after a short embarrassing pause) Hear! Hear! 

Chan. 
(■floundering) I repeat — ah — ra — which — (looks 
helplessly round at Todd). 



1 At chair right 
of l. c. table. 



>r. c. 

4 Above table 

. left. 



Call 1. 

Band up. 

Chandler 
(Proofs). 

Todd (Note- 
book. Yel- 
low favour). 

Daneper 
(Note-book). 

Sir Seton. 

Lady U. 

Mrs. C. 

Maude. 

Felicia. 

Julian. 

DUTTON 

(Tray). 

Danes (Fa- 
vour). 

Mary. 



ACT I 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Energy — lofty busi- 



Todd. 
(prompting in an undertone) 
ness spirit. 

Chan. 
(primed) That energy — that lofty business spirit, 
that faculty of organization which provides labour 
for thousands and which — ah — ra — (slight cheers 
outside and a single " Bravo ") whatever may be the 
result of next year's election, you — ah — ra — you 
will find plenty of light refreshments in the Marquee. 
(Tremendous cheering outside. Todd again very 
demonstrative. Chandler, looking very much re- 
lieved comes away from window to Lady Umf. 
wipes his forehead.) 

Todd. 1 
(comes down, prompting him) Fireworks! 

Chan. 
Yes, I forgot. (Goes back to window? is received 
with cheers, commands silence by a gesture. ) There 
will be a grand display of fireworks on the lawn this 
evening. (Great cheers 3 ). 4 

Chan. 5 
(very anxiously to Todd) Well, Todd? 

Todd. 6 
Wonderful! Eh, Sir Seton? Wonderful! 

Chan. 

(anxiously) Candidly, Todd? 

Todd. 
On my honour! You know I never flatter. (Aside 
to Chan.) I've fished up old Danks! I'll bring 
the old blackguard in while he's tolerably sober. 
(Exit through window.) 7 

(Captain Julian Chandler enters 8 into con- 
servatory, sits down moodily in chair next to 
table. Dutton follows him with brandy, soda 
and cigarettes.) 9 

12 



L. of him. 



a Todd returns 
to former 
position. 



s Repented 
three times. 

* Goes to c. 
Todd drops 
down l. c. 
Chandler 
comes down 
to Todd and 
Sir Seton. 

«c. 
«l. c. 



8 Right. 



• Chandler c. 
talking to 
Lady U. 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT I 



Mrs. C. 1 

Maud, darling, where is Miss Blenkarn? 
listens attentively). 

Maude. 2 
In her room, Mamma. 


{Julian 


1 Seated on 
settee c. 

* Seated up 

H.C. 



Mrs. C. 
Couldn't she be helping the servants in the tent? 
Julian. 

(listening, mutters to himself) No, Mother, I'm 
hanged if she shall. ( To Dutton.) More brandy ! 
(Takes spirit decanter, pours himself.) You can 
go! (Sits and smokes moodily. Dutton goes 
off.*) 

(Reenter Todd 4 at window, speaks off.) 

Todd. 

Come in, Mr. Danks ! 5 Now Daneper, my boy ! 
Here's a pretty little picturesque incident going to 
happen! Dodge it up for your paper. 6 Come in, 
Mr. Danks! 

(Enter at zuindow 7 Mr. Epiphany Danks, a very 
aged rustic, slightly tipsy and rather deaf, Todd 
conducting him to Chandler.) 

Todd. 8 
Mr. Chandler, this is Mr. Epiphany Danks of 
Gawcott-in-the-Moors, the oldest man in the county. 
He will shortly exercise, for the first time in his 
life, that franchise which the wisdom of our legis- 
lature has conferred upon him. (to Daneper.) 
Have you got that down? (Daneper nods, goes 
on writing.) 

Todd. 

(continuing) Such is the fervour of his political 

convictions and his admiration of your glorious 

public spirit that for the mere pleasure of shaking 

13 



Goes to 
Daneper. 



6 Goes back to 
window. 



Conducting 
Danks to 
Chandler. 



ACT I 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



jets up 



Todd 

L. to . 

per. Danks 
crosses to 
Chandler. 



1 L. of table. 



you by the hand he has performed the astounding 
feat of walking every step of the fifteen miles from 
his residence at Gawcott-in-the Moors. (Todd nods 
direction to Daneper, who replies by nod.) 1 

Danks. 

(shaking hands with Chandler with one hand, af- 
fectionately pazving him with the other) Druv over 
in Sam Rawlins's van — me and old Bet Turney — 
stopped at every blessed public as us come along — 
la ! What a morning we have had, to be sure ! 
(Beams benignantly on Chandler.) 

Chan. 

(embarrassed with Danks's affection) Very proud, 
Mr. Danks, to grasp your honest hand! Very 
proud ! 

Todd. 2 

(dictating to Daneper) Mr. Chandler's warm and 
tender nature was moved to tears by this touching 
proof of political devotion on the part of the pat- 
riarch of Gawcott ! 

Danks. 
(still retaining Chandler's hand) Yaller, bain't 
you? 

Chan. 
Yes, yellow is our colour, Mr. Danks. 

Danks. 
I be yaller! (Shouts feebly.) 
Damn they there blues, I say ! 3 
less! Damn 'em! 

Todd. 
(dictating to Daneper) Mr. Danks, in a few terse, 
well-considered phrases, expressed the sternest con- 
demnation of his political opponents. 

Chan. 4 
(to Todd) Get him away, Todd. 
14 



• Waving his 
hand in the 
air. 



Yaller for ever! 
No more and no 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT I 



Todd. 1 
After your exertions you must be in need of refresh- 
ments, Mr. Danks! 

Danks. 
Chandler's hand) Grub ? 



drops 



Todd. 2 



{suddenly 
Where? 2 

This way. 

Danks. 

(again insists on shaking hands zvith Chan.) Well, 
good-bye! (wrings Chan's hand) Don't you be 
afraid of them 'nation gallows blues ! (reassuringly 
to Chan.) I shall vote for 'ee. I be the oldest man 
in this here county ! Born Epiphany Sunday, annie 
domino ! 4 

(As Danks passes Sir Seton he stops and wants to 
shake hands zvith him, holds out hand. Sir 
Seton doesn't respond.) 5 

Danks. 

(cannot understand it) Yaller, bain't you? 

Sir S. 
Yellow, Mr. Danks, but inexpansive. 

(Chandler zvatches Sir Seton, shozvs annoyance 
that Sir Seton won't indulge Danks. Danks 
still holds out hand. Sir S. shakes his head, but 
points to Todd who immediately holds out hands 
to Danks.) 

Danks. 
(effusively to Todd) I like you! There ain't no 
nasty pride about you! You be yaller! So be I. 
(Glares viciously at Sir S. shouts feebly.) Yaller 
for ever ! Hurray ! Well done our side ! 

(Todd gets him off at window 6 and returns, dictat- 
ing to Daneper who is writing throughout.) 
15 



L. o. coming 
up to Danks 
on his u. 



2 Between 
Chandler 
and Todd. 

8 Leading him 
to window l. 



Todd gets 
Danks up to 
window l. 



Danks leaves 
Todd. Todd 
drops down 
R. of Danks. 



ACT I 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



1 l. of table. 



* Seated up 

B.C. 



* Going up to 
Felicia r. c. 
Mrs. C. and 
Lady U. rise, 
go down to 
Sir S. L. 

Music. No. 1. 
{Waltz). 

* She is on his 
L. 



6 Gets to c. r. 
of settee. 



r. in door- 
way of con- 
servatory. 



Todd. 1 
The rustic Nestor, after a truly remarkable display 
of political sagacity, then took his departure. 

Fel. 2 
What a charming circle of friends a parliamentary 
candidate gathers round him, Mr. Chandler ! 

Chan. 
My dear Miss Umfraville, for the good of my coun- 
try, there is no sacrifice too great for me ! 3 
(Enter Mary into conservatory, gets behind Jul- 
ian's chair, speaks to him in a low tone.) 4 

Mary. 

You must go? 

Jul. 
(zuithont looking up, same tone, speaks in front of 
him) Yes, by the night mail. 

Mary. 
(showing great disappointment, steadies herself, 
speaks in a low, earnest tone) I must see you before 
you leave. (Julian looks up.) Hush ! (Passes on 
into drawing-room.) 5 

Mrs. C. 
Miss Blenkarn, I'm surprised you haven't em- 
ployed yourself in the marquee! (Julian rises 
angrily and comes to drawing-room door.) The 
servants have so much to do on a day like this — 

Jul. 6 
How does what the servants have to do concern 
Miss Blenkarn? 

(Maud and the Umfravilles all show embarrass- 
ment. ) 

Mrs. C. 
I think it very inconsiderate, Julian, of a young per- 
son in Miss Blenkarn's position — 
16 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT I 



J Comes down 
to back of 
settee. 



Jul. 
{interrupting) Miss Blenkanr's position in this 
house is companion to my sister, and considering the 
obligations we are under to her father — 

Chan. 1 
{very much upset, interrupts') Obligations! What 
obligations ? 2 

Jul. 
Why you know, father, it was his invention that 
made your fortune. 

Chan. 
(terribly upset) What! What on earth will get 
into your head next? (Julian is about to speak.) 
Hold your tongue, sir! 3 

Jul. 

Sir! 

Mary. 
Captain Chandler, please say no more! I will go 
and help. 4 

Jul. 5 
No. 6 Not unless the others go too, Maude ! 

Maude. 
(very pleasantly, rises) Very well, Julian, I'm ready 
to do anything! Pour out anybody's tea, kiss any- 
body's baby, anything to advance the political educa- 
tion of the nation ! Let's all go ! It will be rather 
jolly! Come along! Now, Mary! (Takes Mary's 
arm. Mary throws a grateful look at Julian and 
exit with Maude.) 7 4. 

Mrs C. 8 
Really, Julian, if you hadn't been leaving us to-day 
for ever so long, I should be very angry with you ! 
(Exeunt Mrs. C. and Lady Umfraville.) 9 
(Chandler is meantime conferring with Daneper 
and Todd. Sir Seton is occupied with paper. ) 
2 17 



* Goes vp 
stage. Chan. 
goes up 
stage to r. of 
c. opening 
and crosses 
to Dan. and 
Todd, u 



Going up c. 



8 Mary stops. 



' At back c. to 
l. Felicia 
rises, comes 
to back of 
settee. 
Chandler is 
with Todd. 

1 Crosses to c. 

' Back c. to L. 



ACT I 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Going to her. 



* At back c. to 
l. Todd and 
Daneper 
leaves table 
and get to r. 
conferring 
about proof s. 

8 r. Chandler 
comes doivn 
to Sir Seton. 



Fel. 

Won't you come with us, Julian? (Going up and 
looking back.) 

Jul. 
(indifferently) Yes — if you like. 1 

Fel. 
You're not a very amiable lover, considering I'm go- 
ing to lose you for months, perhaps years, and that 
you may get lost or killed in Africa! (Exeunt 
Julian and Fel.) 2 (Exeunt Todd and Dane- 
per.) 3 y 

Chan. 
Sir Seton — (Sir Seton puts down paper.) it would 
be of immense advantage to my candidature if you 
were to — to — a — to — a mix a little with my guests. 

Sir S. 4 
Should be delighted, Chandler, but leap-frog and 
skittles are rather out of my way. 

Chan. 
A little cordiality, a little friendly intercourse — with 
such persons as Danks for instance, goes a great 
way. 

Sir S. 5 
It does with me. 6 

Chan. 7 
And now Julian and Miss Umfraville are engaged — 
and you promised — 

Sir S. 8 
(a little angry, controls himself) 9 My dear 
Chandler, let us understand one another. You're 
rich — I'm poor! I've had to turn out of Tatlow 
Hall! You've turned into it! I've only one child, 
and I want to spare her the continual struggle 
with genteel poverty that her mother and I have 
gone through. And naturally I want the old place 
18 



8 Rises. 

8 Crosses to c. 
and up. 

7 Fallowing a 
httle. 



Turns to 
Chan. 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT I 



Going c. 



to be hers. You agree to settle so much upon her 
the day your son marries her, and I shall use my 
influence amongst my county friends to get you 
into Parliament. There our agreement ends, 1 and 
as for playing skittles with Mr. Danks — excuse my 
plain speaking — I'll see your election damned first! 

Chan. 
(cordially) Oh, quite so! Quite so! 



(Exit Sir Seton.) 2 
/ 
Chan. 

(aside) If I could only get into Parliament without 
him ! 3 

Todd. 
Oh, by the way, sir ! Have you looked through the 
proofs of the interview for Saturday's County 
Herald? 

Chan. 4 
(pulls proof from pocket) Yes, here they are. Not 
up to your usual form, Todd. 5 

Todd. 
What's wrong? 

Chan. 

I think you might make a great deal more of my 
philanthropy. You've said nothing about my build- 
ing the new congregational chapel at Little Hogges- 
don. 

Todd. 6 

Yes, but now you've joined the Church — 

Chan. 
I take a very broad view of these matters. You 
might mention that ! 

Todd. 
(taking notes) Very well. Profoundly sincere re- 
ligious convictions, but no narrow bigotry. 
19 



* At back c. to 



* Stop Music. 
Chan, goes L. 
of settee c. 
Enter Todd 
from conser- 
vatory R. 



4 In front of 
settee. 

6 Sits c. 



ACT I 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Ckan. 
That's it. By the way, about that subscription to 
the Wesleyan Sunday Schools — I should think a ten 
pound note, eh? 

Todd. 
You gave twenty to the Baptists. All the fat will 
be in the fire if you don't treat 'em both alike. 

Chan. 
Very well, twenty then. I wish there weren't quite 
so many sects. It gives one a very poor opinion 
of religion. 

Todd. 
When you've got to subscribe to them all, it does. 
But you can't get into Parliament without it. 

Chan. 
(running over proofs) " Great business energy." 
That's all right ! " Paternal care of work people, 
not a man, woman or child in the Tatlow Porcelain 
works who wouldn't gladly lay down his life for 
Joseph Chandler." That's very good indeed, Todd 
— " Most affectionate husband and father — sacred 
shrine of domestic happiness — " 

Todd. 
That always goes down with the British public. 

Chan. 
Just so. (Reads.) " Under his fostering care, the 
Tatlow Porcelain works have grown from a mere 
hovel to cover two acres of ground and to afford em- 
ployment for five hundred hands. The discovery 
some twenty years ago of a peculiar process of glaz- 
ing by an ingenious workman named Cyrus Blen- 
karn — " (Stops, annoyed.) What's the object in 
mentioning Blenkarn's name? 

Todd. 

Well, as the fact of his invention is so well known — 
20 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT I 



(Call 2). 
Maude, Feli- 
cia, Lady U., 
Mrs. C, Cy- 
rus. 



Chan. 
Well known ! Of course, it's well known, so what's 
the good of mentioning it? Where would his in- 
vention have been if it hadn't been for my capital 
and business energy in working it? Besides, I paid 
him for it, two hundred pounds. And look how 
good I've been to him every since — always advanced 
him money on his wages to fool away on his crack- 
brained inventions that never came to anything. 
No ! It's not necessary to mention Blenkarn. 1 
He shares in the glory of belonging to the works. 
That ought to be enough for him. 2 



(Julian enters.) 3 
/ 

^TODD. 

Very well, I'll alter that paragraph. (To Daneper, 
who enters.) 4 All right,, Daneper! 

Todd. 8 
I'll bring round the proofs to-night. 6 By the way 
Daneper, 7 I could give you a few notes about Cap- 
tain Chandler. They might be of use to your edi- 
tor. (To Chan.) Eh, Sir? 

Chan. 
Certainly. 8 

(Daneper comes to Todd, 9 takes note-book and 
pencil. Julian listens with growing anger.) 

Todd. 
(dictating) Our local hero, Captain Chandler, hav- 
ing covered himself with glory in the last Egyptian 
campaign, is again about to visit Africa. He has 
nobly volunteered to accompany the relief expedi- 
tion in search of the renowned African traveller, Sir 
George Hinchinbrook. The deadly perils of the 
Central African desert — 

Jul. 10 

Stop that confounded flummery, Todd. I'll give 
21 



* Crosses to h. 

and sits at 

writing 

table. 
' From back, 

comes l. c. 



*F7-om conser- 
vatory R. 
Daneper 
comes into 
drawing ■ 
room r. of 
Todd. 



* Daneper is 
going to- 
wards l. c. 
table. 

7 Seeing Ju- 
lian. 

8 Goes l. to 
chair and 
sits. 

• Corner of 
settee. 



10 Comes down 
c. to Dane- 

fer and 
'odd. 



ACT 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Dan. turns 
to Jul. 



' Todd goes up 
R. to l. c. at 
back. 



* Rising. 



B Crosses in 
front of set- 
tee and exit 
r. and 

through con- 
servatory. 

« Crosses to r. 
following 
Jid. Dane- 
per crosses to 
table l. 

7 Comes doivn 
l. c. 



you the particulars myself. 1 (Dictating.) Captain 
Julian Chandler, having got himself into a devil of 
a mess at College and in the Service and being 
dunned by all the Jews in Christendom, 2 has been 
obliged to accept his father's offer to pay off his 
debts on condition of his settling down and becom- 
ing respectable — 

Chan. 3 

(interrupting) Julian! This is scandalous! 

Jul. (taking no notice of Chandler.) 

But not wishing to tie himself up at present, he was 
jolly glad to get the chance to cut away to Africa. 

Chan. 
(fuming) Julian! 4 

Jul. 

The Tatlow brass band accompanied Captain Chand- 
ler to the railway station, and played a selection of 
the liveliest airs, to testify their delight at the pro- 
spect of there being one blackguard the less in the 
county. Put that down, Daneper, and let them 
know the truth about me! /(Exit.)* 
v 
Chan. 

(upset, fuming) Really, this is monstrous ! I never 
heard — 6 

Todd. 7 

Never mind, sir. I'll put that all right. (To Dane- 
per.) That's all right, Daneper. Tell Mr. Snoad 
I'll call at the office by-and-bye and bring him all 
particulars myself. 

Dan. 8 

Very well, sir, good-day. Good-day, Mr. Chandler. 
( Takes up notes from table, puts them in pocket and 
exit.) 9 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT I 



Todd. 1 ^ 
(soothing Chan.) Don't trouble, sir. I'll see the 
Herald has it corrected. 2 

Chan. 
Thank you, Todd. You think my speech made a 
good impression ? 3 

Todd. 
Excellent ! Magnificent ! Wonderful ! 

Chan. 4 
(seizes Todd's hand, wrings it effusively) I never 
met a man with a stronger natural judgment than 
yours, Todd! You never mind telling me the truth 
candidly and fearlessly! 

Todd. 
Why not? What object is there in telling lies? By 
the way, sir, when you get into Parliament, you 
will allow me to help you in your Parliamentary 
duties? 

Chan. 
Naturally, Todd, naturally. Statistics always bother 
me, Todd. Now you're very good at statistics. 

Todd. 
Don't you trouble about statistics. You let me know 
what you want to prove, and I'll guarantee the sta- 
tistics shall be all right. 

Chan. 

Thank you, Todd. 

Todd. 
And I suppose I shall continue the management of 
the Tatlow works as well. 

Chan. 
Of course, Todd. 5 Of course. 6 

Todd. 
And perhaps at some future time you will admit me 
to a partnership. 7 

23 



Anxiously 
sits c. 



B Rises. 

6 Going up c. 



' Following. 



ACT I 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



1 c. trims on 
Todd. 



3 At windoiv l. 
Music. No. 2. 

* At back c. 
and L. from 
garden. 

* Coming 



At back of 
settee. 



7 Goes to door 
of conserva- 
tory. 

(Calls). Todd. 
Nancy 
(Comb). 

8 Com-'ng 
down h. c. 



9 Sitting c. 



»'c. 

11 At back c 
and l. from 



garden. 



Chan. 1 
(Aghast.) Partnership, Todd? (Very much up- 
set.) Really, you surprise me — just as I had taken 
you into my confidence in everything. It's too bad, 
Todd. It's encroaching on my good nature! You 
have the honour of belonging to the works. You 
share in the glory that attaches to the name of 
Joseph Chandler. I think that ought to be sufficient. 

Todd. 
(humbly) Very well, sir. I'll say no more. 

Chan. 
No, don't, there's a good fellow. Go and see that 
everybody's attended to. I shall be out amongst 
them soon. (Exit.) 2 

Todd. 
Ah, that's gratitude, that is ! Where would Joseph 
Chandler have been if Batty Todd hadn't worked 
him? (Exit.) 3 / 

(Re-enter Chandler, Maude and Felicia.) 4 
Chan. 
(brisk, oily, polite, to Fel.) 5 Well, how are all 
our friends enjoying themselves? 

Maude. 6 
All the old people have gravitated to tea, and all 
the young to kiss-in-the-ring ! 7 

Chan. 
Well, so long as they are satisfied. 8 

Fel. 
Don't you think kiss-in-the-ring is somewhat too 
satisfying? I speak from observation, not from ex- 
perience. 9 

Chan. 
Oh, quite so ! Quite so ! 10 

(Enter " Lady Umfraville and Mrs. Chandler.) 
24 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT I 



Lady U. 

Well, I'm disappointed! It seems this wonderful 
man is not here ! 1 

Chan. 
What wonderful man ? 2 



Lady U. 3 
This workman of yours who made that lovely dinner 
service you gave us! 

Chan. 4 
(contemptuously) Oh, Blenkarn! 

Lady U. 

Yes, I must see him ! I'm sure he's quite a genius, 
and I'm so fond of genius ! I adore genius ! 5 

Chan. 6 

(nettled) Genius! I don't call a mere inventor a 
genius, Lady Umfraville ! 

Lady U. 

No? What's your idea of a genius then, Mr. 
Chandler? 

Chan. 7 
My idea of a genius is — a — ah — a — practical man, 
a man who doesn't invent anything himself, but has 
the insight, and courage, and shrewdness to see the 
value of another man's invention, and the energy to 
secure it and work it : a man who, by sheer force of 
business enterprise, raises himself to the position of 
a great public benefactor and provides labour for 
thousands of his fellow creatures. (Getting elo- 
quent.) That's the type of genius that I admire, 
and that's the type of genius that suits our modern 
civilization ! 

Lady U. 
And the only type of genius that seems to flourish in 
it! 8 

25 



1 Coming 
down l. 



1 L. c. Mrs. 
Chan, joins 
Fel. c. and 
sits r. on set- 
tee. 

1 L. of Chan. 



Fel. and 
Mrs. C. rise 
and join 
Maude r. 



ACT I 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



At doorway 



At backc. 
from r. 



Fel. 
What's your idea of a genius, Maude? 

Maude. 1 
I never saw one ! I shouldn't know one if I did ! 

(Enter Cyrus Blenkarn, 2 in shirt sleeves, with 
no coat; hair long and untidy: a keen, pale, thin 
man, with bent form, sharp features, restless, ab- 
sent, distracted manner: he stands a moment or 
two at doorway, looking for someone. Seeing 
Chandler, he comes eagerly down to him.) 

Cyrus. 
Mr. Chandler, could you give me an order for the 
iron fittings for my new kiln ? 3 

Chan. 
Really, Blenkarn, this is very unceremonious ! 4 
How do you expect people to trust you when you 
are always throwing your money away in useless 
experiments? How much will the fittings come to? 

Cyrus. 
I'm afraid they'll come to nearly twenty pounds, sir. 

Chan. 
Can't you manage with ten? 

Cyrus. 
I'll try to make it do, if you'll leave the order open. 

Chan. 
No, no. Todd will give you an order for fifteen to- 
morrow. 5 

Cyrus. 
But I want to start to-day. I can't afford to waste 
any more time. I've wasted so many years already. 
Can't I have it to-day ? 

Chan. 

My dear good man, you can surely wait till to- 
26 



4 Turning to 
LadyU. 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT I 



morrow before you begin to squander my money. 1 
Lady U. 2 

Ah, Mr. Blenkarn ! That lovely dinner service Mr. 
Chandler gave us was your workmanship, wasn't it? 
(Cyrus assents.) I'm glad you put your own mark 
on it ! 3 

Chan. 4 

(shows annoyance) Ah — ra — Blenkarn — ah — ra 5 
I think that's rather an absurd practice of yours, 
putting your own private mark on your best pieces. 
It's not necessary — not necessary — I wouldn't do it 
again if I were you ! 

Cyrus. 

Very well, sir. 6 (His face falls; he shozvs intense 
disappointment.) 

(Todd enters.) 1 

Todd. 

The balloon's just going up! 8 

Maude. 

Oh, we must see the balloon. Come along every- 
body. 9 (To Felicia.) Where has Julian got 
to? 10 

Fel. 

I don't know. 11 He can't expect me to be always 
running after him. 

Maude. 

When I have a lover, I shall expect him to be always 
running after me, and he may think himself lucky if 
he catches me! (Exeunt Maude and Felicia.) 12 

Cyrus. 13 

(catching sight of Todd) Mr. Todd, could you 
please let me have an order for some iron fittings? 

27 



1 Turns up 
stage to win- 
dow. Cyrus 
is going up 



(Call I,). 



3 Jesse (fa- 
vour, hat. 
coat, necktie, 
ready off r.) 
Mary. 



Comes doivn 
to Cyrus, l. c. 



6 Turns up c. 
Stop music. 



8 Todd and 
Chan, get 
up l. Blen- 
karn up c. 



9 Crosses up c. 

10 Maude and 
Fel. get c. 
Mrs. C. at 
back of set- 
tee. 

11 Joins 
Maude. 



2 At window 
l- Mrs. C. 

joins Lady IT. 
at window L. 
Todd and 
Chan, have 
been talking 
at windoto l. 



ACT I 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



1 Taking 
Cyrus away 
to it. Mrs. C. 
and Lady U. 
at window to 
see balloon. 



At window l. 



* At back c. 
from r. 



e Advancing 
a little to c. 

*Lady U. 
gets to win- 
dow with 
Mrs. C. 



9 As he is cross- 
ing to win- 
dow L. 



Chan. 
(interrupting) 1 Can't you see Mr. Todd is busy 
upon my parliamentary business to-day? (Soften- 
ing. ) Come, go and fetch your coat and enjoy your- 
self for once. There's a balloon and fireworks, and 
I daresay I may make another speech. Enjoy your- 
self, my good man! Enjoy yourself! 

(Exit 2 followed by Todd.) 

(Cyrus 3 stands absorbed, disappointed.) 

(Nancy appears.)* 

Nancy. 

May I come in please, Mrs. Chandler? 

Mrs. C. 

Certainly, 5 but you really ought to teach your 
father to take care of himself. 6 Make him a little 
more presentable, if he's going to stay. (Aside to 
Lady U.) Mr. Chandler allows these Blenkarns to 
take the strangest liberties. (Exeunt Mrs. C. and 
Lady U.) 1 

(Nancy comes down 8 to Cyrus, who has stood 
baffled, listless, disappointed, hearing nothing of 
above conversation, 9 she takes him by the 
shoulders, and shakes him vigorously.) 

Cyrus. 10 
(turning) Eh? Oh, Nancy! 

Nancy. 

Where's your hat? Where's your coat ? 

(Cyrus rouses himself from his abstraction by an 
effort.) 

Cyrus. 

Coat? 

Nancy. 

Where did you take it off? Think! 
28 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT I 



Cyrus. 
(thinks. After a pause.) I don't think I put it on, 
Nancy. 

Nancy. 
Where did you wear it last? 

Cyrus. 
(after a pause) I wore it to church last Sunday, 
Didn't I? 

Nancy. 
(with a gesture of despair) How could you come 
to Mr. Chandler's in such a state? 

Cyrus. 
{innocently) What state? 

Nancy. 
Look at yourself. (Pointing to his clothes.f 

Cyrus. 
(looks himself up and down) Yes, it does look 
rather shabby, — but — it isn't Sunday to-day, you 
know. 

Nancy. 
You told me you weren't coming to the garden 
party. 

Cyrus. 
I haven't come to the garden party. I came to get 
an order on Mr. Woolaston. (Suddenly starting 
off.) I wonder if Mr. Woolaston — 1 

Nancy. 

Listen ! 2 Now you are here, you're going to stay 
and enjoy yourself with me and Mary. 

(At mention of Mary's name, Cyrus' face lights up 
with great animation and joy.) 

Cyrus. 
Mary ! Where is she? Why don't you bring her to 
me? 

29 



Going L. 



Catches 
him by the 
arm and 
pulls him 
back. 



ACT I 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



*c. 



2 Goes round 
to back of set- 
tee. 



Nancy. 
You shall see her directly if you behave yourself. 
{Looks all round.) There's nobody about! Sit 
down. {Pushes him into seat.) 1 Let me make 
you tidy ! 

{She 2 takes out small brush and comb from 
pocket.) 

Nancy. 
{beginning to comb his hair) Did you have your 
dinner ? 

Cyrus. 
Dinner? 

Nancy. 
Yes, I left it in the oven! 

Cyrus. 
Did you? Then why didn't you tell me so? 

Mary. 
I told you so four times and showed it to you bak- 
ing. 

Cyrus. 
Did you ? Then I suppose I must have had it ! Yes, 
I remember now. I did have it. It was delicious. 
I'm very fond of Irish stew. 

Mary. 
Irish stew! Why, it was a veal pie. {Gives a pull 
at his hair which makes him jump. ) 

Cyrus. 
Was it? I thought it was Irish stew! 
(Jesse Pegg enters : z a young workman dressed 
in his Sunday best, with hair carefully pomatumed 
into a triangle three inches high in front. Know- 
ing he is intruding, he stands at window a mo- 
ment or two before he ventures to whisper.) 

Jesse. 
Miss Nancy! Miss Nancy! 



» At window l. 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Nancy. 
(curtly) Well? 

Jesse. 
(comes in, treading very gingerly on carpet) The 
balloon's just going up! I've saved you such a 
splendid place, close to me. 1 

Nancy. 
How horrid of you ! 

Jesse. 
(with desperate earnestness) Do come along. 

Nancy. 
I can't. If you're not busy you might — 

Jesse. 
(eagerly) Anything! Anything! If it's for you. 

Nancy. 
It isn't for me. It's for him. Run home and look 
all over the house and all over the works till you 
find his hat and coat and necktie, and bring them 
all here. You'll find me somewhere about when you 
come back. See how quick you can be. 

Jesse. 
All right, I'm off. 2 

Nancy. 
Oh, Mr. Pegg (Jesse stops.) 5 You'll find a 
veal pie in the oven ! I wish you'd take it out ! 

Jesse. 
For you! If it's for you? 

Nancy. 
Certainly. It's for my supper to-night, if it isn't 
burnt to a cinder. 

Jesse. 
Thank you ! Thank you ! I'm So proud to be al- 
lowed to run on your errands. (Runs off.) 4 
3* 



Going up c. 



At back c. 
ton. 



ACT 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Cyrus is 
leaning for- 
ward ab- 
sorbed in 
thought. 
Nancy takes 
him by the 
shoulders, 
pulls him 
back in his 
seat and be- 
gins combing 
his hair. 



Nancy. 
(aside) To think that little me should make such 
a fool of such a sensible fellow as Jesse Pegg. 1 

Cyrus. 
If they could make that china a hundred and twenty 
years ago, why can't it be made to-day, Nancy? 

Nancy. 
Hold your head still ! 

Cyrus. 
(getting excited) You believe it's to be done, don't 
you? 

Nancy. 
Yes, if you only keep quiet. 

Cyrus. 

I'm sure of it! (Getting excited, wagging his head 
to and fro.) All the old receipts are wrong — I've 
tried them all. I tell you this, Nancy — (Starts up 
violently. Nancy has hold of his hair.) 

Nancy. 
Will you sit down? (Puts him into settee again.) 

Cyrus. 
(sits down submissively) Shall you be long, 
Nancy ? 

Nancy. 



s At r. corner 
of settee. 



Two minutes if you keep still. Half an hour if you 
don't. 

Cyrus. 

(Schooling himself, sits very quiet for two or three 
seconds, then plaintively.) It's very kind of you, 
Nancy, but you comb my hair too much. You do 
nothing all day long but comb and make me tidy ! 

Nancy. 

That's the reason you're such a dandy ! 2 
32 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT I 



(Enter Mary.) 1 

Mary. 
(comes down very gently) Father! (Going to 
him.) 2 

Cyrus. 
(his manner changes to intense delight) Mary, my 
dear! I haven't seen you for nearly a fortnight. 
You're quite well, my clear? (Kisses her.) 3, 

Mary. 
Yes, quite well. 

Cyrus. 
(looking anxiously at her) You're looking pale and 
worried, eh, Nancy? 

Mary. 
No, no, it's nothing! I'm quite well! Let's talk 
about yourself. Tell me how you're getting on with 
your work. How have the new vases turned out? 

Cyrus. 
Spoilt ! They wouldn't stand the firing ! 

Mary. 
Never mind. Every failure brings you nearer to 
success. 

Cyrus. 
(very much touched, gently takes her hand and 
covers it with kisses) God bless my Mary ! You're 
always kind to me! There's nobody in the world 
understands me but you, dear! (Kissing her hand. 
Mary withdrazvs it with a pained expression.) 

(Jesse Pegg enters 4 with Cyrus's coat, hat, neck- 
tie. He is panting, breathless, exhausted, sits in 
chair, 5 holds out coat, etc., helplessly to Nancy, 
sits panting.) 6 y* 

Nancy. 
What's the matter? 7 

3 33 



At window 

L. 



l. of settee. 



At back c 
from R. 



Chair aovm 



Crossing be- 
hind settee to 
him, L. C. 



ACT I 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



(CallS). Juli 
an (Bank 
notes). 



Mary fast- 
ens Cyrus' 
wristband. 



1 Gets round to 
. r. of Cyrus. 



* Returns to 
him. 



Rist7ig. 



Goes to win- 
dow L. 



Jesse. 
(hand on heart, breathless) I've brought — hat — 
coat — all — (drops the tilings helplessly into her 
hands. She takes them.) 

Nancy. 

What made you run so fast? 

Jesse. 

( with a look of reproach) You commanded me — to 
make haste. 

Nancy. 1 
I didn't tell you to bring on an apopletic fit ! Here, 
Mary! (Giving clothes to Mary, who takes them.) 
Make haste! (Looking out of window.) They're 
all watching the balloon — you'll have time to finish 
him before they come back. 

(Mary takes things, 2 puts them on settee, helps 
Cyrus to rise, ties Jiis necktie, makes him gener- 
ally comfortable and tidy.) 
(Jesse has sat panting, slozvly recovering.) 

Nancy. 3 
Oh, you stupid! 

Jesse. 
I did it for you, and you reproach me! 4 I wish I 
was dead. 

Nancy. 
Well, don't run yourself to death on my errands. 
Make it a case of felo-de-se. 5 

Jesse. 
( looks at her ferociously for a moment, then goes 
determinedly to Cyrus, 6 holds out his hand) 
Good-bye, Mr. Blenkarn ! 

Cyrus. 
(surprised) Good-bye, Jesse? 

34 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT I 



Her scorn drives me 



Nancy leans 
over back of 
chair l. 



Jesse 
I can't endure it any longer 
mad. Good-bye. 

Cyrus. 

But I can't spare you, Jesse. You're the best work- 
man I ever had. Where are you going? 1 

Jesse. 
I don't know whether I shall commit suicide or go to 
Australia. (Affected.) You'll think of me some- 
times, Mr. Blenkarn — and there's that bit of Brus- 
sels carpet I bought for her — you can keep that — 
and if anything does happen to me — let her look at 
that carpet, and remember that Jesse Pegg would 
have used his heart's best blood to dye its crimson 
pattern if she had only asked him ! Good-bye. 2 

Nancy. 3 
(calling him) Mr. Pegg! (Jesse stops.) If it 
wouldn't trouble you, I should like to see the sack 
race. 4 

Jesse. 

Trouble! Trouble! (Coming down to her.) 
get you a place. Where would you like to 
(Snatching at her hand.) 

Nancy. 
In some place where you can't possibly get a chance 
of squeezing my hand. (Drags her hand away and 
runs off. 5 Jesse follows. ) 6 v / 

Mary. 7 
(having finished toilet operations, fondling him) 
Father, wouldn't you like me to come back home 
and live with you always? 

Cyrus. 
Of course I should, for my own sake — but we must 
think of your future ! 

35 



I'll 

sit? 



2 Going up c. 



Goes up a 
little to cor- 
ner of table. 



Cyrus sits 
on settee c. 
Mary kneels 

on his r. 

R. C. 



ACT 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



* Attn round 
iter neck. 



Mary. 
My future ! ( With a look of shame and pain which 
Cyrus does not see.) 

Cyrus. 
Yes, dear ! * You see I'm a careless, thoughtless old 
fellow, and all the money I get goes somewhere. I 
don't know where it goes, but it does go somewhere, 
doesn't it? 

Mary. 
(caressing him) Dear father, I'm glad you don't 
like money. 

Cyrus. 
Oh, but I do like it! I'm very fond of it ! I should 



Chandler. 



*Rise and get 
to a. 



like to be very rich ; then I could carry on all my 
experiments : but I'm afraid I shall always be poor. 

Mary. 
Never mind. God can't think much of money, 
Look at the people he gives a lot to ! 

Cyrus. 
(musing) It doesn't matter for myself and Nancy 
— we shall always be able to shift for ourselves, but 
— you're not like us. A h,you don't know how proud 
I am of you, dear ! And you're in your right place 
here amongst great people ! I want you to stay here 
always ! I want to think when I'm at home, 
" Mary's safe — whatever happens to me, she's pro- 
vided for! She's a lady, and some day perhaps 
some great man will see her and fall in love with 
her." 

Mary. 
No, no, father! There's no fear of that! 

Cyrus. 
Eh? 

Mary. 
I mean — you're a very foolish old fellow to put 
such fancies into my head! You mustn't be proud 
of me any more — never any more, 2 — you'll break 
my heart. 

36 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT I 



Cyrus. 
Why, Mary my dear, what's this? 

Mary. 
I mean you'll make me vain. Don't talk any more 
about me. Tell me about your work. 1 How are 
you getting on with your new kiln? 2 



(Julian enters.) 3 

Cyrus. 

Stopped! I wanted to work at it to-day, but Mr. 

Todd was too busy to let me have the order for the 

fittings, and I've got no money to buy them! 

Julian. 
(coming down) 4 How much do you want, Mr. 
Blenkarn? 

Cyrus. 
Oh, Captain Chandler, sir. How do you do, sir? 5 

Julian. 
How much do you want ? 

Cyrus. 
For the fittings, sir? I'm afraid they'll come to 
nearly twenty pounds. 6 

Mary. 7 
No — Captain Chandler — please not — it wouldn't 
be right for my father to take money from you ! 

Julian. 

Why not ? All our money came from your father's 
invention. We owe him more than we shall ever 
pay him ! Here, Mr. Blenkarn. (Giving notes.) 

Cyrus. 
Thank you ! Thank you ! 8 

Julian. 
Don't thank me ! I wish I could make it more, but 
I'm not very flush myself — 9 
37 



1 Comes to 
him. 

2 Sits on set- 

tee on his r. 

3 c. from R. 



Mvsic No. 3 
Schottische. 



6 Rises, takes 
hat front, set- 
tee as he does 
so. Mary 
rises. She 
has shown 
slight confu- 
sion and 
alarm at 
Julian's 
voice. 

'Julian takes 
out note- 
case. 



Takes them, 
shows them 
to Mary. 



» Goes a little 

to L. 



ACT I 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



1 Offering it 
back to Juli- 
an. 



* Thrust notes 
in side pocket 
of coat, 

s 7s going off c. 



Cyrus. 
Then I ought not to take this — * 

Julian. 
Yes — yes — take it. You ought to be at the head of 
the firm, instead of working for us. Besides, I shall 
get plenty out of the governor before I start. 

Cyrus. 
Oh, well, then you'll excuse me 2 — I'm so much 
obliged, so much obliged. 3 

Mary. 
Father, where are you going ? 4 

Cyrus. 
To Mr. Woolaston's to buy the fittings. Good-bye, 
dear. 5 

Mary. 
But Mr. Woolaston is here at the garden party. He 
has shut up his shop for to-day. (Going up to 
him. ) 

Cyrus. 
Has he? Then he must open it again. I can't have 
my kiln stopped for a garden party. 6 Thank you, 
Captain Chandler — it's so kind of you, so kind. 
You'll excuse me. I must go — I want to get these 



Going. 



Crosses to l. 
Taking 
money from 
pocket again. 



7 Going off 
at window l. 

with great 
animation. 



fittings. Thank you ! Thank you ! So kind ! 
(Shakes hands zvith Julian.) 7 (Exit.) 

JVIary. 8 
You shouldn't have given him that money ! 

Julian. 
Why not? 

Mary. 
Can't you see — it seems like — (Stops ashamed.) 
Julian, how can I ask you? You must marry Miss 
Umfraville? 

Julian. 

Marry her ? No ! I mean to get out of it some way 

38 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT I 



or the other ! x I hope to heaven I shall get my 
quietus out in Africa, and there'll be an end of me ! 

Mary. 
Hush ! You mustn't talk like this. 2 

Julian. 
How should I talk? I've acted like a blackguard 
and a scoundrel. And you've been such a brick to 
me, Mary, as staunch as steel, as true as gold! 
What must you think of me? 

Mary. 
I forgive you, Julian ! 

Julian. 
Don't forgive me ! Hate me and despise me ! I hate 
and despise myself ! 

Mary. 
No — no — , Julian, you love me still. 3 

Julian. 
Love you ! You know I do ! You know I'd marry 
you tomorrow if I dared. 

Mary. 
If you dared. 

Julian. 
How can I? With nothing but beggary to offer 
you. And to take you out to that cursed climate to 
die with me. No ! I've brought enough misery on 
you — I won't wrong you any more. 

Mary. 
Oh, Julian, 4 what can I do? What can I do? 

Julian. 
Stay here, Mary. If I live and come back to Eng- 
land, (enter Chandler) 5 you shall be my wife. 
If I die, as I hope I may — well ! I shall know you 
are safe and happy. Maude's fond of you, and you 
will always have a home here. If there's one thing 
39 



Crosses to r' 
then back to 
c. and sits c. 



* Goes l. 
B At back c. 
from l. 

(Call 7). 
Cyrus. 
Todd. 
Sir Seton. 
Dutton (hat 
and coat). 
Servant. 
Mrs. C. 
Felicia (flow- 
er). 

Maude. 
Lady U. 



ACT I 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



I'm thankful for, it is that your secret will never be 
known. 

Mary. 1 
Julian, (looks at him) it must be known. 2 

Julian. 
(shows surprise and fear, then bursts out — rises) 
Oh, what a scoundrel I've been ! What a coward 
and a fool I was to let my father gull me into this 
marriage. ( With great tenderness, going to her, 
puts his arms round her.) Mary! 

(Chandler comes forward. 3 They both show 
surprise and consternation, and fall apart. Mary 
shows intense shame.) >/ 

Chan. 
4 Miss Blenkarn, Mrs. Chandler is asking for you. 
(Mary stands speechless and overwhelmed.) Do 
you hear, madam? Mrs. Chandler is waiting. 
(Mary slowly exit.) 5 (Turns to Julian, 
sternly.) What's the meaning of this? 

Julian. 
(summoning courage) It means I've been a black- 
guard ! 6 y 

Chan. 
What! You don't mean to say there's any chance 
of a public scandal ? 7 

Julian. 
No, there shall be no public scandal if I can stop it! 

Chan. 
Stop it ! You must stop it ! You know what these 
Tatlow people are. If this affair gets wind, it will 
lose me hundreds of votes. 8 Come now, what do 
you mean to do? 

Julian. 

(calmly) I mean to marry Miss Blenkarn. 
40 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT I 



Chan. 
What! 

Julian. 
Look here, sir, I've been a fool. Don't force me to 
be a coward as well! 

Chan. 
I shall force you to keep your word to Miss Umfra- 
ville. 

Julian. 
You will ? 

Chan. 
I shall. Sir Seton's influence is necessary to me. 
If you break off your engagement with his daughter, 
he will withdraw his support. 
Julian. 
But, father — 

Chan. 
I shall not argue the point with you, Julian. Come, 
the time's short. What do you say? 

Julian. 1 
I shall marry Miss Blenkarn. 

Chan. 2 
Very well, sir. Then I shall not pay a farthing of 
your debts, I shall publicly disown you for my son 
and when you leave this house to-day, you'll never 
return. Do you hear, sir? So pack up, and be gone. 



Julian. 



(Rings bell.) 3 

Very well. 

Chan. 
And when you and your precious madam are starv- 
ing toegther, 4 you'll think what a fool you were 
not to accept my offer of a comfortable provision for 
her! (Cyrus enters.) 5 \/" 
Julian. 
(seeing Cyrus) Hush! 

4i 



1 r. firmly. 



up L. above 
window. 



4 Going to 
him r. 



; Cyrus enters 
out of breath, 



Band and 
shouts ready. 



ACT I 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



1 Cyrus goes 
up L. c. and 
leans on 
chair for a 
mcmeu t, 
then up c. 
openinq look- 
ing for 
Woolaston. 



Cyrus. 
I can't find Mr. Woolaston anywhere. Have you 
seen him, sir? 

Chan. 
No, Blenkarn, no. 

Cyrus. 
They told me he had gone into the house too. 1 

Chan. 
(to Julian) You'd better think it over, young man 
— (Softening, drawing Julian dozvn stage.) 
Come, Julian, I don't want to be hard on you for this 
bit of boyish folly. But be reasonable. You must 
see that if you split with the Umfravilles just now, 
it will ruin all my hopes, destroy my honourable 
ambition. 

Julian. 
(indicating Cyrus) But his hopes — his ambition 
for Mary — her life, poor girl! (Exit Cyrus.) 2 

Chan. 
I'll take every care of her, I promise you. Don't 
break your engagement now, Julian. I wouldn't 
mind it in a year's time, when once I'm safe in Par- 
liament. Come, you'll let things stay as they are. 

Julian. 

I can't — it's cowardly — it's blackguardly ! 3 

(Cyrus re-enters.) 4 

Chan. 

Hush ! (Looks round.) Then you'll marry her and 

bring her to beggary. Mind, I'm determined. 

Julian. 
(after a pause) If I do nothing to break with the 
Umfravilles for a year, will you pay off my debts 
and give me the two thousand you promised? 

Chan. 
Certainly, I will. I — 

42 



s c. and r. as 
if he had 
seen some 
one. 



s Exrited and 
raising voice. 

4 c. and r. 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT I 



Cyrus. 

(comes down)* Mr. Chandler, would you let one 
of the men — 

Chan. 1 

(irritated) What is it, Blenkarn, what is it? (Takes 
him to window.) 2 

Cyrus. 
Why, it's Woolaston — 

Chan, (impatiently.) 

Yes, yes, anything you please! Send one of the 
men — 

Cyrus. 

Thank you, sir. (Going off.) 3 Here Tom, Mr. 
Chandler says — (Voice dies away.) 

Chan. 

(to Julian) Well? Yes or no? (Servant en- 
ters.) 4 

Julian. 5 
We'll let things stay as they are. 

Chan. 
A very sensible decision. 1 Shakes hands.) 

(Enter Todd, 6 Mary appears at back.) 7 
Servant. 
You rang, sir ? 8 

Chan. 9 

Yes, let Mrs. Chandler and the family know that 
Captain Chandler has received an urgent telegram 
from London. — He will leave by the five o'clock up 
express, instead of the night mail. . 

Julian. 

What? 

43 



8 As he exit 
at l. ivindoio. 



4 c. from r. 



Window h. 
c. from l. 



Down c. 
r. c. 



ACT I 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Through, 
window l. 



Chan. 

(to servant) Tell Williams to have everything 
ready. (Exit Servant.) 1 

Julian. 

There is no need for me to leave before the mail. 

Chan. 

(after a look at Mary, determinedly) I think there 
is. 

Todd. 
What's this? Captain Chandler, going at once? I 
must wake up the brass band and get some men to 
take your horses out of the carriage and draw you to 
the station, eh, sir? 

Chan. 
By all means! By all means! 2 (Todd exit.) 3 



Hurriedly 
at window L. 



* From win- 
dow. 



6 Comes down 
between 
Lady U. and 
Felicia. 



' Mrs. C. and 
Maude fol- 
low. 

7 Crosses to 
Felicia. 



(Enter 4 Maude, Mrs. Chandler, Felicia, Lady 
Umfraville and Sir Seton.) 

Maude. 

(to Julian) Julian, is this true? Are you obliged 
to go this afternoon? 

Mrs. C. 
(to Julian) Must you go, Julian? 
Chan. 5 

Yes, he is urgently required in London to-night. 
Miss Umfraville, there is only just time to bid him 
good-bye. 

Julian. 

Our adieux have already been said. 6 Have they 
not? 7 

Felicia. 
Yes, I suppose so. ( Takes off a flower she has been 
zvearing.) There's a keepsake for you. 
44 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT I 



1 At window l. 
Sir S. drops 
down l. 



Cheers and 
band. 



8 No. U. 
(March). 



• Dutton 
hands him 
hat, etc. 



Julian. 

Good-bye. I'm not good enough for you, Felicia. 

(Re-enter Todd.) 1 

(Julian embraces Mrs. C. and then Maude.) 

Todd. 2 

(to crowd outside) Now then! Three cheers for 
Captain Chandler! Hip! Hip! Hurrah! 

(Crowd cheer, band strikes up 3 in distance, getting 
nearer and nearer till Curtain. Dutton enters 4 
with Julian's hat, coat, gloves, etc. Cyrus en- 
ters. 5 Talks to Todd for a moment, then goes 
toward c. opening, trying as he does so to attract 
Mary's attention.) •/ 

Julian. 

Now, Dutton, look sharp ! 6 

Mary. 

(aside) Will he go without a word? 7 

(Julian is saying good-bye all round, embraces his 
mother, sister.) 

Julian. 

Good-bye Maude ! Mother ! Felicia ! 8 Good- 
bye, Sir Seton. I leave Felicia in your care. If 
anything happens to me — 

Chan. 9 

(looking out of window) The carriage is ready, 
Julian. You haven't a moment to waste. 10 (Dut- 
ton exit.) 11 

Julian. 

(to Mary) Good-bye, Miss Blenkarn. (Looks 
round to see if he is unobserved. 12 Then Julian 
turns to her and says furtively) — Mary, I — (Sees 
Cyrus, stops.) 

45 



Crosses to 
SirS. All 
follow. 



5 Mary gets 
down b. 



1 At conserva- 
tory r. 



>* Cyrus comes 
down r. c. 



ACT I 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



* Comes from 
window to c. 



Mary. 
(nerves herself with great fortitude) Good-bye, 
Captain Chandler! I hope you will — I — I — I — 
(Breaks down, almost fainting, her father catches 
her in his arms.) 

Cyrus. 1 
Mary, what is it? Mary — 

Julian. 
Miss Blenkarn! 

Chan. 2 
(touches him on the shoulder) Come, sir, come! 
Time presses ! 

Julian. 
But Miss Blenkarn is ill — 

Cyrus. 
Yes, she's — 

Mary. 
(with desperate effort recovers herself) No — no — 
I'm quite well. (In a firm, determined, cheerful 
voice) I hope you will have a pleasant journey, 
Captain Chandler. Good-bye. (Stands calm and 
motionless throughout, betrays no emotion.) 

Julian. 
Good-bye. Good-bye, Mr. Blenkarn. 3 

Cyrus. 
Good-bye, Captain Chandler ! 4 Good-bye. Thank 



8 Offers hand 
to Cyrus. 

4 Grasping 
his hand. 

1st Picture. 
Julian gone. 
All looking 
off at win- 
dow. Ladies 
waving 
handker- 
chiefs, with 
the exception 
of Mary who 
is standing 
in conserva- 
tory door, 
weeping. 

Time Sit min- 
utes. 



you ! Thank you ! I shall get to work to-night ! 
Your kind present ! God bless you ! God bless you ! 

(He wrings Julian's hand. Julian hastily with- 
draws it and rushes off. Band very loud. ) 

Curtain. 



46 



ACT II. 

Scene. — Cyrus Blenkarn's house, as in plan. A 
plain sparely-furnished room, with cheap wain- 
scoting and whitewashed walls. A fireplace down 
stage right: a door up stage right. At back, 
corded to the wall, are a pair of steps which can 
be let down from Cyrus' workshop so as to fur- 
nish access to its door, which is some six or seven 
feet from the stage in the back wall. To the right 
of these steps on the wall at back are shelves with 
various specimens of china and earthenware. To 
the left of the steps a cupboard. Across the corner 
at left is hung on rod a chintz curtain, which being 
drawn aside discloses a bench with materials for 
painting china and a chair in front of the bench. 
A window over the bench: a pair of high steps 
just below the chintz curtain, 1 a door down stage 
left. In front of the fireplace a long table with 
materials for painting china. Behind the table a 
chair in the centre of a strip of new, gaudy, crim- 
son-flowered, Brussels carpet. Discovers Nancy 
on top of steps, 2 arranging the curtain over 
Jesse's bench. Jesse is looking on. Nancy has 
just fixed the curtain in such a way as to hide 
Jesse's bench.) 

Nancy. 
{on steps) There! Now when that's drawn you 
can't possibly see me ! ( Coming dozvn steps. Jesse 
offers to assist her.) Go away, Jesse, go away! 

(She comes down steps folding them up. 3 Jesse 
puts steps against wall. 4 Then goes to Nancy's 
table.) 5 

Nancy. 

Come! Get to your work ! (Jesse hesitates.) Get 

47 



Vase on table. 



Nancy. 
Jesse. 
Chandler. 
Mrs. C. 
Sir Seton. 
Lady U. 
Maude. 
Felicia. 



R., Nancy 
crosses to 



ACT II 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



° Jesse goes, l. 
Nancy fol- 
lows him. 



Thumping on 
the table. 



to your work ! ° Fix all your attention on it, and 
don't so much as remember that I am in the room ! 

(He goes reluctantly behind the curtain x and 
sits at his table. Nancy draws curtain. She goes 
to her table, 2 seats herself at work, takes up vase 
and begins to paint it. Jesse gradually moves the 
curtain and peeps round it. She takes no notice 
but goes on painting, holding out the vase at full 
length to get the effect. ) 

Jesse. 
Miss Nancy! Miss Nancy! 

(Nancy sublimely unconscious is studying the ef- 
fect of vase. ) 

Jesse. 
(shouts) Words are cheap enough, aren't they? 

Nancy. 
It disturbs your peace of mind when I speak to you. 

Jesse. 
(drawing curtain back and looking round) It dis- 
turbs my peace of mind a great deal more when you 
don't speak to me. 

Nancy. 
Then why do you stay here? Why don't you go 
into the works ? 

Jesse. 
And leave your father? You know he must have a 
workman always handy to help him. I will never 
leave your father. (Rises. Nancy takes no notice. 
Jesse comes determinedly down to her, stands a mo- 
ment, then shouts fiercely at her.) I will never 
leave your father ! 3 

(Nancy quietly puts doivn her vase, takes him by 
the arm, marches him up to his bench, seats him 
at it, then In a cold, magisterial voice.) 
48 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT II 



Nancy. 
If I see or hear anything more of you for the rest of 
the morning, I won't speak to you for a week. 
(Goes back to table sits.) 

Jesse. 
(meekly) Thank you. You shan't! I'll be as 
quiet as a mouse ! Thank you so much ! Thank 
you ! 

(He gets quietly to work, painting vase on table. 
Enter Chandler 1 and Mrs. Chandler, followed 
by Maude, Felicia, Sir Seton and Lady Um- 
fraville. ) 

Chan. 

Goocl-morning, Nancy. 2 I want to see your father. 

Nancy. 
(glancing at ladder) I'm very sorry, sir. His lad- 
der's up. 

Chan. 
Oh nonsense ! Nonsense ! Blenkarn ! Blenkarn ! 3 

Jesse. 4 
Shy something heavy at his door, sir, and if that 
don't fetch him, I'll go round to the back and break 
a window. That's almost safe to bring him. 

(Chandler goes to Cyrus' ladder, and bangs 5 at it 
with his walking stick. Cyrus opens door an 
inch. ) Y 

Cyrus. 

(through chink of door) Run away! Run away! 

Go and do some errands ! Go and take a long walk ! 

Don't come back again! (Slams door.) 

Chan. 
(loudly) Blenkarn! Blenkarn! I say — 

Cyrus. 
(opening door and looking out) Eh? Oh! (Lets 
down ladder, stands at top of it very much embar- 
rassed. ) 

4 49 



2 Comes to c. 



3 Goes up c. 
The others 
cross to 
Nancy's 
table. 



TJiree times 
with increas- 
ing vigour. 



ACT 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Comes down 
to Sir S. and 
Lady U. 



As he goes 
down L. 



Nancy 
frowns and 
makes signs. 



Chan. 
Come down, Blenkarn, I want to speak to you ! ° 

Cyrus. 
(coming down ladder) I'm very sorry, sir — I didn't 
know it was you, or I shouldn't have told you to go 
and do some errands ! x 

Chan. 

(aside) 2 His girl hasn't told him yet. 
Cyrus. 

(apologetically to Sir Seton and Lady Umfra- 
ville.) 3 I beg your pardon. I'm obliged to have 
that ladder, because as soon as I set to work, a lot of 
people will come bothering me, and I can't get rid of 
them. 4 I don't like to tell them they're a nuisance. 
And they always come just as I'm doing something 
important, don't they, Nancy? 
Nancy. 
(flatly) No! (glaring at him.) 

Cyrus. 8 
Yes, they do. You know they do. 

Chan. 6 
Blenkarn, I want you to show Sir Seton and Lady 
Umfraville over the works. You can explain the 
processes so much better than anybody else. ( Cyrus' 
face falls.) 

Cyrus. 
Not this morning, Mr. Chandler? I'm very busy 
this morning. 

Chan. 
(contemptuously) Busy! My good man! You've 
been busy these last twenty years, and what have 
you done? 

Cyrus. 
(pause) Well, I invented the glaze. The works 
were bankrupt when — 

50 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT II 



Chan. 
When I bought your patent, and brought my energy 
and capital to bear on it. Come, Sir Seton and 
Lady Umfraville are waiting. You've got a lot of 
odds and ends here. You might begin by showing 
them your bits of old Tatlow ! 

Cyrus. 
Delighted, I'm sure — (showing great reluctance, 
languidly takes a teapot from cupboard, with- 
out interest.) Teapot — date 1750 — made by Aaron 
Shelton — * {with sudden Hash of enthusiasm.) 
Look at it! The new Tatlow would melt like wax 
in it. I've baked it for weeks and there isn't a crack 
in it. If I could only make a piece like that before 
I die! And I will! I will! 

Chan. 2 
Not you, Blenkarn ! You'll never do it ! 

Cyrus. 
Oh, yes I will! 

Chan. 
By the way, you're always wanting money! You 
might sell me your collection. 

Cyrus. 
No, I won't sell that, Mr. Chandler. 3 (Restores 
teapot to place, takes out dish.) Dessert service — 
1762 — made by — by — (gets bewildered, looks round 
helplessly) I can't remember anything this morn- 
ing— 

Sir S. 4 
Chandler, we'll look round the works at some other 
time when Mr. Blenkarn is at liberty — 

(Cyrus grasps Sir Seton's hand.) 

Cyrus. 

(very zvarmly) Thank you ! Thank you ! B I'm just 

at work on the model for my new kiln, and it's 

5i 



* Turns up 
stage. 



1 Chan, goes 
up stage, l. c. 



ACT II 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Maude. 

Felicia. 

1 Going to- 
wards cup- 
board c. to 
put down 
dish, sees 
Jesse ativork 



2 Seated L. 



very complicated — the fact is there are nineteen dif- 
ferent ways of doing it, and I don't know which is 
right — and if you'll excuse me — * Oh, there's 
Jesse Pegg! He knows the works a great deal 
better than I do, don't you, Jesse? 

Jesse. 2 
Yes, Mr. Blenkarn, I'm ready. 3 

Sir. S. 
Come along then, Mr. Pegg. 4 We'll say good 
morning, Mr. Blenkarn ! I can see you'll be glad to 
get rid of us ! 

Cyrus. 
Yes, I shall. And if you'll come some other day 
when I'm not busy — in about six months' time — or 
a year — I'll show you round myself. Jesse, mind 
you show them everything, and — and — (bolting 
hastily tip ladder) Good morning. Good morning. 
So proud I've seen you, so proud. Good morning ! 



Rising. 



* Crosses to 

L.C. 



Knock ready. 



l. He re- 
mains up 
stage L. and 
signs to 
Chan. 



r Ladies cross 
to door l. 



«L. 



Good morning! (Draws up ladder and exit into 
room, closing door.) / 

Jesse. 
If you'll come this way, please — (going to door 5 
and stopping.) (Enter Todd.) 6 

Mrs. C. 
Nancy, you will come with us. My daughter and 
Miss Umfraville are going through the works, they 
will require your assistance. 

Nancy. 
Very well, Mrs. Chandler. 7 
Felicia, Mrs. C, Lady U., 
Jesse.) y 

Chan. 9 
What is it, Todd ? 9 

Todd. 
Needham has brought the contract for the new- 
works. He wants it signed at once. 10 
52 



(Exeunt 8 Maude, 
Sir. S., Nancy and 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT II 



Puts hat and 
stick on table 



Chan. 
I'm a little doubtful, Todd, about these extensive 
alterations. 1 It mortgages all my capital for years. 
Suppose business was to go wrong — 

Todd. 
You ain't losing faith in yourself? 

Chan. 
I shall never lose faith in myself, Todd. But sup- 
pose this old fool (indicating Blenkarn's room) 
was to find out the secret of the old Tatlow — 

Todd. 
Well? 

Chan. 
It would knock all our present ware out of the 
market. 

Todd. 
He'll never find it out. 

Chan. 
No, and if he does, I could buy his patent of him for 
a five pound note. 2 

Todd. 
Yes, to be sure. (Aside.) 3 Unless I bought it for 
ten. 

Chan. 
Very well, Todd. Then we'll sign the contract and 
start the works at once. 

Todd going to Chan. r. c. 
Right. And if business gets a little shaky, you can 
turn the whole concern into a limited liability com- 
pany, and clear out. 

Chan. 
Oh, quite so, quite so. 



(A knock at door. Enter Postman 4 with letter.) 

Post. 
Good morning, Mr. Chandler. 

53 



Going to cor- 
ner of table 



1 Going l. c. 



* l. Chandler 
r. c, Todd c. 



ACT II 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Crosses to 
table, r. 



* Chan, turns 
for hat and 
stick, sees 
letter. Todd 
watching. 
Chan, turns 
suddenly, 
nearly catch- 
ing Todd, 
who looks the 
other way. 



Chan. 
Good morning, Carter. 

Post. 
Letter for Mr. Blenkarn. As usual at this house, if 
there's only the old man at home, you might knock 
the blessed walls down and none would hear you. 

(Puts letter on table 1 near Chan., and exit. 2 
Chan, aside, glances at letter, shows alarm and 
surprise? puts his hand over letter.) 

Chan. 
Todd, step across to Needham and tell him I'll be 
there to sign the contract in five minutes. 

Todd. 
Yes, sir. (Watching him, aside.) What's up, I 
wonder? There's something in that letter. (Going 
off slowly. 4 

Chan. 
(peremptorily) Did you hear? 

Todd. 
Yes, sir. (Exit quickly.) 5 

(Chandler watches him off, then turns quickly to 
letter. ) y 

Chan. 
(After a look around.) From Julian! London 
postmark ! What can he have to write to Blenkarn 
about? Unless it's — (looking at letter, and looking 
round) I suppose it would be considered dishonor- 
able to open a letter — as a rule — and yet in a case of 
this kind it may be my duty — (Looks round at 
Blenkarn's door, opens letter, takes out a slip 
of paper and an enclosed envelope reads slip of 
paper.) " If you love your daughter Mary, be sure 
she has this privately at once." (Reads address on 
enclosed envelope.) "Miss Mary Blenkarn" 
(hesitates) My public career is at stake, (opens 
54 



Call U. 

Todd. 
Cyrus 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT II 



Mary, Come to me at Paris at once at the above 
address, and I will make you my wife before I 
leave for Africa. We are hurrying on, so don't 
delay. If I am obliged to leave Paris before you 
arrive, I shall leave all instructions for you to follow 
me. Make the best excuse you can at home. Don't 
let them suspect you are coming to me. I enclose 
notes for journey. 1 Oh, my dearest, can you ever 
forgive me? Ever your Julian." (Looks round, 
goes to fire, hesitates for some moments, -finally puts 
letter on tire. ) There, you young fool ! I've saved 
you from the fruits of your folly, and you'll thank 
me some day! (Before the letter has burned, enter 
Maude and Felicia. 2 They are coughing. Chan. 
watches the letter burn.) What's the matter, 
Maude? 3 

Maude. 4 
We've been nearly choked in that horrid tile-room ! 
Oh, Papa ! 5 Is it necessary for the women and girls 
to do that terrible work? 

Chan. 
Necessary? Of course it's necessary. What would 
become of England's commercial prosperity if they 
didn't do it? 

Fel. 6 

It's a wonder they're not all suffocated. 

Chan. 7 
Oh, they get used to it. In fact, after a time I be- 
lieve they really get to like it. They must like it, 
or they wouldn't love and respect me as they do. 

Maude. 
I suppose, papa, there's no doubt they do love and 
respect you ? 

Chan. 

Doubt! You heard the Mayor's speech yesterday? 

I never heard a more glowing eulogium upon any 

55 



1 Business of 
pocketing 
bank notes. 



8 Standing at 
fire. 



6 Felicia sits 
down L. c. 



7 L. of table R. 



ACT II 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Jesse. 
Nancy. 



1 Goes to n. of 
Felicia, l. c. 



3 Getting to c. 



man's private and public virtues than he pronounced 
on mine. 

Maude. 
Yes, but, papa, you get all your wines and spirits 
from him. 

Chan. 
(Very much upset) Wines and spirits! Good 
heavens ! That a child of mine should take such an 
incredibly low view of human nature as to suppose 
that a respectable wine and spirit merchant should 
be influenced in his political views by paltry con- 
siderations of trade ! Get rid of such cynicism, my 
dear, get rid of it! It's degrading! 

Maude. 
But you are a splendid customer to him ! * 

Chan. 2 
I encourage all local enterprise. You must surely 
see, Maude, that I am a great public benefactor to 
the town of Tatlow. Look at the entertainments 
yesterday — the fireworks alone — had the man down 
from the Crystal Palace on purpose. Really it does 
seem cruel that I should be obliged to point out my 
benevolence to my own daughter. But I suppose I 
must bear to be misunderstood, Miss Umfraville, 
like those other noble philanthropists who have 
preceded me. 

Fel. 
Yes, which? 3 

Chan. 
Well — ah — ra — several. It would be invidious to 
mention any one in particular. 

Maude. 
(Taking out zvatch) Quarter past twelve. (To 
Fel.) Shall we have a gallop before lunch? 

Fel. 4 
Yes, and get the dust of that tile-room out of our 
throats. 

56 



4 Rising and 
going to door 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT II 



1 Going to- 
wards door. 
Felicia exits 
door l. 



Door L. 
R. c. 



Maude. 
I shall never go there again. 1 Oh, papa, I wish 
for those poor girls' sakes that England could do 
with a little less commercial prosperity. 

(Exeunt Maude aiul Felicia.) 2 
Chan. 3 
It's strange how little the members of my own 
family seem to appreciate me. (Goes to fireplace, 
stirs ashes with poker.) Yes, it's quite burnt. Now, 
if I can persuade the girl to hold her tongue and 
leave the neighbourhood without saying anything 
to her father — 4 ^/ 

(Enter Todd. 5 

Todd. 6 
Needham's waiting for you to sign the contract. 

Chan. 
I'll go to him. 7 By the way, Todd, you might just 
draw old Blenkarn, pump him a bit. 

Todd. 8 
I will. Rely on me. 

Chan. 
We must take care to be on the safe side, Toddy. 
(JVinks very slozvly at Todd, who minks very 
slozvly back at him. Chan, laughs. Todd laughs. 
Chan, exit. 9 As soon as Chan, has gone off, Todd 
relaxes his wink, lays his finger to the side of his 



nose.) y 

Todd. 
Yes, we must take care to keep on the safe side, 
guv'nor. What luck some men have ! What a posi- 
tion I could have made for myself if I had only 
happened to get hold of a greenhorn like old Blen- 
karn ! 10 Ah well, the old boy's just as green as ever ! 
(Cyrus opens his door and appears at top of ladder. 
The ladder descends.) Here is the old moonraker! 
57 



7 Crosses to 
doorh. Todd 
about to fol- 
io iv. 

B L. C. 



10 Crossing to 



ACT II 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



»B. 



*c. 



* Comes to l. 
of table R. 



« Coins l. 



( Cyrus comes down ladder steps, muttering to him- 
self, without noticing Todd.) 

Cyrus. 
It won't come right — All my time wasted — 

Todd. 1 
(very cordially) Ah, good morning, Blenkarn! 
Good morning*? 

Cyrus. 2 
(waking up) Good-morning, Mr. Todd. My per- 
forated bricks won't fit — they're all wrong, I must 
get some more baked. 3 

Todd. 
Of course. Tell Cousins to take your order. 

Cyrus. 
(gratefully) Thank you. 4 

Todd. 
How are you getting on with your new experi- 
ments ? 

Cyrus. 
Splendidly. 

Todd. 
(going up ladder) I should like to have a look 
at what you're doing. 

Cyrus. 5 
You can't. I never let anybody go into that room, 
except my daughter Mary. She's the only one that 
knows my secrets. 

Todd. 
(going up further, hand on door) Oh, but I might 
be able to give you some advice, to help you. 

Cyrus. 
Nobody can help me. (Fiercely.) Come down! 
You shan't go there. Do you hear? Come down, 
I say! 

58 



Turning and 
coming c, 
back to audi- 
ence. 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT II 



(Todd comes quickly down.) 
Todd. 
Oh, very well. (Comes quickly down.) 

(Cyrus goes up ladder, locks door and puts key in 
pocket. Re-enter Jesse and Nancy.) 1 

You know, Blenkarn, I take an enormous interest 
in you. 

Cyrus. 2 
Oh, do you ? 

Todd. 
You don't know what a good friend I've been to 
you! 

Cyrus. 
(mechanically) No — yes — no — I forget. 3 

Todd. 
And I mean to stick to you, I do ! 4 Now, if you 
make any discovery that means money, why not 
bring it to me? 

Cyrus. 
Eh? 

Todd. 

You can't work it yourself — you've got no capital — 
well, we work it together and make a fortune out of 
it. See? Well, that's agreed between us. That's 
settled. 5 

Cyrus. 
No, I don't think so, Mr. Todd. 6 

Todd. 
No? 

Cyrus. 

Mr. Chandler has been a good master to me. He 
has always advanced me money on my wages to 
carry on my experiments, and I think I ought to 
give him the first chance. 
59 



Stands r. c. 
up stage by 
ladder. 



1 l., Jesse 
takes off 
coat. Nancy 
crosses r. and 
seats herself 
at table r. 
Jesse sits L. 
to zvork. 

* On steps. 



Comes down 
steps. Going 
L. 



* Takes Cyrus 
by the arm. 
They come 
doivn r. c. 
together. 



8 Seizing and 
shaking Cy- 
rus's hand. 

« Withdratv- 
ing his hand. 



ACT II 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Todd. 
(glibly) Of course! Of course! I was speaking 
entirely in Mr. Chandler's interest. Naturally, I 
should take it to Chandler — great, noble-hearted 
man, Chandler! Oh, I love him quite as much as 
you do. (Aside.) Damn him, he'll get your in- 
vention if I don't look smart. 1 (Aloud.) Well 
then, you bring it to me, and I'll take it to Chandler. 

(Exit.) 2 y/ 

Cyrus. 
(after pause, during which he looks blankly round 
about him) Now what was I going to do? — Oh, I 
know. 3 

Jesse.* 



1 Crosses to 
door L. 



5 Going l. 

* Jesse, who has 
been listen- 
ing from his 
seat up stage. 
Rises, and 
comes down 
l. c 

6 Peremptorily 

stopping him 



8 Trying to 
pass him. 

Call 6. 

Mary. (Watch 

and chain — 

letter ready 

offR. 
7 Stopping 

him bluntly. 



Pause. 
Takes off 
spectacles 
and puts 
them in his 
pocket. 



Mr. Blenkarn ! 5 



Yes, Jesse? 



Cyrus. 



Jesse. 
I'm going to talk to you for once in a plain, straight- 
forward way ! 

Cyrus. 
No don't, Jesse ! 6 I'm going to get some bricks 
perforated. 

Jesse. 7 
You'll stay and get your common sense perforated 
first. 

Cyrus. 8 

Well, what is it, Jesse? 9 Make haste. 10 

Jesse. 
Years ago you invented the glaze which put the Tat- 
low porcelain works, figuratively speaking, on their 
legs, put the town of Tatlow, figuratively speaking, 
on its legs, and put Joseph Chandler Esquire, 
figuratively speaking, on his legs, and made him, 
as the Mayor said yesterday, an ornament, a glory 
and a bulwark to the British nation. 
6o 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT II 



Nancy. 1 
(shows great interest) Hear! Hear! Hear! 

Cyrus. 2 
Yes, I know, Jesse — but you're wasting my time. 

Jesse. 
(fixing him relentlessly) And what are you to-day ? 
Are you a glory, an ornament and a bulwark to the 
British nation ? No ! Are you putting up for Par- 
liament? No! Are you owner of Tatlow Hall? 
No! Are you President of the Young Men's and 
Young Women's Mutual Improvement Association ? 
No ! Have you got a banking account ? 

Cyrus. 
(laughingly) A banking account! 

Jesse. 
No! Have you got a high hat? No! Or a brass 
knocker? Or a decent coat to your back, or a de- 
cent pair of shoes to your feet, or a sixpence to bless 
yourself with? No! No! ! No!!! No!!!! 

Nancy. 
(enthusiastically) Hear! Hear! Hear! Hear! 

Cyrus. 3 
I can't help it, Jesse. 

Jesse. 
You must help it ! You shall help it ! And it is in 
the firm belief that you will help it, when you make 
your next invention, (waxing more eloquent zvith 
Nancy's encouragement) that I grasp this opportun- 
ity of telling you, Mr. Blenkarn, what a fool you've 
been. 

Cyrus. 
Thank you, Jesse, I know I've been a fool ! I know 
I ought to have cared more for money ! 4 But there 
are thousands of men who can make money — it isn't 
a very clever trick after all. 5 There isn't a man in 
61 



At her bench. 



Turns and 
looks at 
Nancy sur- 
prised, then 
fidgets to get 
away. 



After anoth- 
er look at 
Nancy. 



4 Turning 
away to R. 

8 Seeing vase 
on Nancy's 
table. 



ACT II 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



1 Patting 
Jesse on the 
shoulder, 
crosses l. 

1 L. door. 



the world to-day who could make that vase ! What 
would it matter to me if I had all the money in the 
country so long as I couldn't turn out a bit of work 
like that! You don't understand me, my lad. 1 
Nancy doesn't understand me. My Mary under- 
stands me! {Exit.) 2 <J 

Jesse. 
There, Miss Nancy, you told me to speak to the 
point. Now did I? 

Nancy. 
You were quite eloquent, Mr. Pegg. 

Jesse. 
Was I? (Approaching her fondly.) If I was elo- 
quent on that subject, what should I be on the sub- 
ject of love ? 

Nancy. 3 
Dreadfully tiresome, so please don't begin. 

Jesse. 4 
I must. I'm going once and for all to lay bare all 
the anguish of my heart. 

Nancy. 
(unconcerned) Oh, please don't! Ugh! 

Jesse. 
Aye — laugh at me, jeer at me ! trample on me ! 5 

Nancy. 
I don't want to trample on you ! I've got your nice 
Brussels carpet to trample on. 

Jesse. 
You trample on my gifts! 

Nancy. 
What did you buy the carpet for? 

Jesse. 

That its crimson flowers might whisper of my love 
62 



a Seated at 
table b. 



4 l. of table r. 



Going to c. 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT II 



to you and be a symbol of its blooming for you — 
when every shred of that Brussels carpet has melted 
into oblivion ! 

Nancy. 
Oh, I thought you bought it to keep my feet warm. 
(Rises, takes her chair off the strip of carpet, moves 

the carpet away from bench throws it away 

from her to centre of stage.) 

Nancy. 
Take your carpet ! (puts her chair back, and sits 
and goes on with her work.) 

Jesse. 
(has watched with growing indignation) You re- 
fuse my gift? 

Nancy. 
I can't take it now I know what the pattern means. 
(Jesse 1 stands savagely looking at her for a few 
moments, then deliberately sets to work, rolls up 
the carpet very resolutely.) 

Jesse. 
I was not unprepared for this crisis, madam. 2 
(Goes up to his bench, drags from under it a very 
large, well-worn, bulgy, carpet bag, with a bit of 
stocking and a coat arm hanging out of the side. ) 
When you flouted me last night, I packed my poor 
belongings. 3 Cold, heartless serpent ! You've 
withered every spark of good in my nature ! Now it 
matters not what becomes of Jesse Pegg ! 4 

Nancy. 
{unconcerned) Where are you going, Mr. Pegg? 

Jesse. 
To ruin, to madness, to despair ! 

Nancy. 
You'll just catch the 1.15 if you make haste. 
63 



Puts carpet 
on barrel l. 



Drops bag on 
stage c. 



Putting on 
hxt and coat. 



Call 7. 
Cyrus. 



ACT II 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Takes up roll 
of carpet and 
bag, shoul- 
ders the car- 
pet, carries 
the bag. 



Jesse. 1 
I shall. Some day, basilisk, you may be sorry you 
didn't accept my Brussels carpet in the spirit in 
which it was offered. 2 I am going. 

Nancy. 
(unconcerned, painting her vase — In a very pleasant 
tone) Well, Good-bye, if you must go. 

Jesse. 
I mean it this time. Farewell! I warn you, in- 
human, heartless monster, that you have wrecked 
me body and soul. When anybody asks you, " who 
murdered Jesse Pegg?" say, "I did." (With a 
shriek and a groan rushes tragically off, roll of 
carpet on shoulder, and dragging the carpet bag 
after him.) 3 V 

Nancy. 
The stupid fellow! And to think that he should 
be perfectly sane in all other respects ! He's gone, I 
suppose. Well, I can't help it. 

\ L (Enter Mary. Y 
Mary. 5 
Nancy, what have you done to Jesse Pegg? 

Nancy. 
Nothing! He has taken offence and gone off to 
London, I suppose. 

Mary. 
For good? 

Nancy. 

I suppose so. He has really been quite unbearable 
lately. 

Mary. 
How? 

Nancy. 

Unbearably in love with me. 
64 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT II 



Mary. 

Is that so unpardonable, Nancy ? Can't you see how 
he worships you ? 

Nancy. 

I don't want to be worshipped by Jesse Pegg. I 
don't like common people. What luck you've had, 
Mary ! 

Mary. 
Havel? 

Nancy. 
I should like to be in your shoes. 



Would you ? * 



Mary. 



Nancy. 



Yes, to be living at Tatlow Hall with pleasant, re- 
fined people. Of course you deserve it, dear. I don't 
grudge you. But I should like to be admired by 
such men as Captain Chandler instead of Jesse 
Pegg. 

Mary. 2 

Nancy, I'm going to give you a little advice. Jesse 
Pegg loves you dearly. Handsomeness very soon 
wears off. Kindness and goodness don't. Perhaps 
some day Jesse may come back again and ask you to 
be his wife. If he does, Nancy take him, he's a 
good honest soul, take him, dear. (Clasping 
Nancy.) And thank God, (Nancy looks up.) yes, 
dear, thank Him with all your heart for giving you a 
man that can so reverence and worship a woman 
that he becomes like a fool in her presence. Thank 
Him that though your lover seems common to you, 
he loves you so much that you can never become 
common to him. 

Nancy. 

Mary ! I've never heard you talk like this ! What's 
the matter? 

5 65 



Takes off hat. 



Ooes to 
Nancy, puts 
hat on table 

B. C. 



ACT II 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



1 Going to c. 



Rises, comes 
to Mary c. 
She has left 
her handker- 
chief on 
table. 



s Nancy turns 
slightly, 
kisses natch. 



Mary. 

Nothing, dear. (Subdues herself, and becomes quite 
calm and indifferent for the rest of the scene with 
Nancy.) 1 By the way, Nance, you've often longed 
for a watch — you may as well take mine. ( Taking 
off watch and chain.) 

Nancy. 
Oh no, Mary, I couldn't think of it. What will 
you do yourself? 2 

Mary. 
I shan't want it. (Hurriedly.) There are plenty 
of clocks at Tatlow Hall. Come, I insist. (Hold- 
ing up watch and chain to Nancy, who takes them 
admiringly. ) 3 

Mary. 
There! (Pause.) Won't you give me a kiss for it, 
Nancy? (Nancy kisses her, then turns away 
again.) You don't mind kissing me, do you? 

Nancy. 
Mind kissing you ? ! 

Mary. 
There never were two sisters who loved each other 
better than you and I do, Nance. 

Nancy. 
Never! But you didn't come all the way from the 
Hall to tell me that, did you ? 

Mary. 
No. (Indifferently.) I came to have a little gossip 
with father. Where is he ? 4 

Nancy. 
Gone to get something for his new kiln. He'll be 
back directly. (Looking at zvatch.) Twenty min- 
utes to one ! Good gracious, I've been forgetting 
all about dinner ! You won't be going yet. 5 

Mary. 
Yes, I shall be going soon. 6 
66 



* Goes up 
stage a little. 



Going to 
door r. 



Following 
slightly. 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT II 



* Comes down 
to fireplace. 



B She turns 
her head a 
moment. 



Seeing 
Mary. 



Nancy. 
(carelessly) Well, good-bye. I shall see you on 
Sunday as usual ! ( Exit. ) * s 

Mary. 2 
You'll never see me again, Nancy. Oh, you are 
cruel, Julian. To leave me without one word, to 
let me face this dreadful shame alone! I can't do 
it ! I can't ! 3 

(Enter Cyrus, 4 very excited, very joyful.) 5 

Cyrus. 
(as he enters) That's it ! That's it! Why didn't 
I think of it before? How stupid of me! Mary! 
Mary, my dear! I'm so glad to see you! (Kisses 
her.) I've just found out the way to build my new 
kiln ! There were nineteen different ways of doing 
it — all of them wrong — and just as I was coming 
along, it flashed across me how to do it — yes — it's 
as good as done. In a fortnight it will be in full 
work. And then I shall be able to try my new ex- 
periment — and, who knows, I may be able to make 
the old china after all. 

Mary. 
I'm sure you will. 7 

Cyrus. 
And Jesse Pegg has been giving me a good sound 
scolding. He's very sensible, Jesse Pegg is — some- 
times — and he lectured me as I deserved. And what 
do you think — I'll tell you a secret — I'm not going 
to be a fool any longer. I'm going to make lots of 
money for you and Nancy. Tell me, dear, what shall 
I buy you when I'm rich? 8 

Mary. 
.What would you like to buy me? 

Cyrus. 

Everything that's beautiful. A beautiful house, and 

a horse, and beautiful dresses to wear, silk and em- 

6 7 



Kisst7ig him. 
Cyrus goes 
up steps, and 
unlocks door, 
then comes 
down again. 
Mary goes up 
stage, gets l. 
of stejys. 



8 Goes to 
table, takes 
large vase 
from table, 
and places it 
on the floor 
by the side of 
the steps. 



ACT II 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Call 8. 

Jesse. 

Chandler 
(Purse and 
money). 



Cyrus sits 
on steps. 



Cyrus should 
not see 
Mary's face 
during this 
scene. 



Fondling 
her hand. 



* Kissing her 
hand. 



Kissing his 



broidery and lace and satin, and furs to keep you 
from the cold, and white soft dresses in summer * — 
all white like your own soul, my Mary — when I'm 
rich I should like you never to wear anything but 
white. 

Mary. 

White — yes, I'll wear white. But what will you buy 
for yourself, father? 

Cyrus. 

Never mind about me. I shall spend all my money 
on you and buy you everything that you deserve. A 
new home to begin with — 

Mary. 
A new home — 

Cyrus. 

Yes, with a corner for me — unless — perhaps some 
day, Mary, you may want a new home with some- 
body else. 2 

Mary. 
No, no, father — 

Cyrus. 

Don't be too sure, dear — somebody will come and 
take you from me — and — 

Mary. 
No, no, it's quite — quite impossible. 

Cyrus. 
What! You'll stay with me always! How happy 
we shall be in the future. 3 

Mary. 

Yes, how happy we shall be in the future. 4 Father, 

(anxiously watching him) as I was coming from the 

Hall just now, I saw poor old Mr. Viner standing 

68 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT II 



Mary 
winces. 



at his door. He seems quite aged — quite broken — 
since — Mary — 

Cyrus. 
Ah, no wonder! It would have killed me 1 if my 
daughter — 

Mary. 
(quickly) But she's dead! 

Cyrus. 
Yes, poor girl ! It's a mercy her shame is hidden in 
the grave. 

Mary. 
Yes, it's a mercy. 

Cyrus. 
What a pity she didn't die when she had the fever 
three years ago — she wouldn't have broken her 
father's heart then. 

Mary. 
Yes, death is far better than such disgrace, isn't it? 
(Anxiously.) 

Cyrus. 
Yes, a thousand times better. 2 There — there, don't 
speak of it. (After a thought) And her name was 
Mary too. 3 

Mary. 
Yes, her name was Mary. 

Cyrus. 
Ah, how different from my Mary! 4 (Seeing that 
Mary is crying,) 5 Come — come my dear. 6 

Mary. 
(with apparent indifference) Well, I must be get- 
ting back to the Hall. 

Cyrus. 

And I must be getting to my work. You know, 

dear, I love to have a talk with you, but I can't spare 

the time to-day. Look in to-morrow, will you? 

69 



* Rises, goes 
to table r. c, 
takes up vase 
Nancy has 
been paint- 
ing, looks at 
it. 

3 Puts down 
vase on the 
table. 



Turning. 



6 Goes to her c. 
* Caressing 
Mary. 



ACT II 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Mary. 
No, not to-morrow. 

Cyrus. 
Well, the day after — promise you'll come the day 
after. 

Mary. 
I won't promise. (Kissing him.) Good-bye, dear. 
(Kissing him warmly.) Good-bye, my dear, dear 
father ! God bless you ! Good-bye. 

Cyrus. 
Good-bye. (Goes up ladder to his room, opens 
door.) Ah, you shall see, dear. Your old father is 
not such a fool as they think him. He's going to 
make a great fortune for you, dear! You shall be 
rich and happy, and ride in your carriage, and every- 
body shall look up to you ! Yes, dear, we shall see ! 
Good-bye ! Good-bye ! 

(Enters his room, and closes door. The ladder re- 
mains down. Mary nods and laughs, and kisses 
her hand to him. The moment the door is closed, 
she bursts into a Hood of tears, stands mechanically 
repeating his words. ) \/ 

Mary. 1 

" It would have killed me if my daughter — " " It's a 
mercy her shame is hidden — is hidden in the grave." 
" Death is a thousand times better." Oh, my father, 
how shall I hide myself, how shall I spare you the 
blow? "Death is better!" (Suddenly.) You 
shall think me dead. I will go away. 2 . You shall 
hear that I have died in a strange country. And it 
will be true, for from this time forth I shall be dead 
to you. Yes, Mary Blenkarn, your child who never 
guessed what evil was, is dead. This isn't me ! No, 
I am dead, and that is all you shall ever know of me. 
In a few months you shall learn that I have died — 
there will be no disgrace for you in that, and you 
shall never know how sinful and unhappy I have 



1 L. of steps. 



Advances 
little. 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT II 



Goes to 
table. 



been. How can I save you from troubling about my 
leaving you ? I'll write 1 — there's a pen and ink in 
the next room. (Looks round, goes to inner door, 2 
opens it softly, calls softly. ) Nancy ! She's upstairs. 
I'm glad of that. I couldn't bear to meet her again. 

(Exit.)* y^ 

(Rather long pause. Jesse Pegg enter s, a sulky, 
crestfallen, looks all round to see that nobody is 
about — flings his carpet bag under bench — looks 
at Nancy's place, finally removes her chair, opens 
the roll of carpet along her bench, replaces her 
chair in position, till he is satisfied all is quite 
comfortable, sees the handkerchief she has taken 
off lying on her bench, takes it up, kisses it pas- 
sionately again and again, puts it in his pocket, 5 
hangs up hat, takes off coat, sits down to work a 
moment, sees the curtain which is drazvn on one 
side, rises, draws it across the place where he sits, 
so that it hides him.) (Re-enter Mary.) 6 

Mary. 
(letter in hand) I have thought of everything. If 
they follow me, they will think I have taken the ex- 
press to London. Yes, that will be the surest plan of 
getting away. Forgive me for deceiving you, 
father. This will soften my departure — and when 
the news comes that I am dead, you must not grieve 
for me, father, I'm not worth it — 



(Kisses letter, then places it on table, goes left.) 
(Chandler enters.) 7 <y 

Mary. 
Mr. Chandler! (Shows great shame.) 8 
(Chan, looks cautiously round — in a low, cau- 
tious voice.) 

Chan. 

My dear Miss Blenkarn, I want a word with you. 

We can perhaps speak better here than at the Hall. 9 

7i 



6 Crosses to l. 



8 Door r. u. e. 



8 Turns away 
to R. 



9 Puts hat 
and stick on 
table. 



ACT II 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



r. of table 
back to him. 



8 Going l. 



* c. of stage. 



Mary. 
(low voiced, deeply ashamed) Go on, sir. 1 

Chan. 8 
(cautious, low voice, watching her keenly) I have 
been thinking it would be wise of you to leave Tat- 
low. 

Mary. 
(hurriedly) Yes, I know. I am going. 

Chan. 
You have spoken to your father? 

Mary. 
No, I've written to him. (Indicating letter on 
table.) 

Chan. 
And you've told him — 

Mary. 
Nothing, only that I have not been very happy lately 
at Tatlow Hall, and not wishing to cause any un- 
pleasantness between you and him, I have obtained a 
situation at a distance and have gone to it. 

Chan. 
(much relieved) Very sensible — very sensible in- 
deed. It shows great consideration for his feelings. 
And you go at once ? 

Mary. 
Yes, this morning, now. 3 

Chan. 
(intercepting) 4 You will allow me to assist you? 
(Takes out note-case.) 

Mary. 
No — except — there is rather over a month's salary 
due to me. 

Chan. 
Allow me to make it a hundred pounds — a hundred 
and fifty — you're welcome. 
72 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT II 



Mary. 
No, only what is due to me. Not a farthing more. 

Chan. 
Very well, since you insist. (Puts note case away.) 
But I should like to have shown my generosity. 
(Putting money on table.) 

Mary. 
(taking up money) Thank you. (Going.) Good 
day. 

Chan. 
Stay, I should like to have some news of you. (In- 
tercepting her.) 1 

Mary. 
My father will have news of me soon. You will 
hear what has become of me through him. 

Chan. 
At least, you will allow me to express my regret — 
in fact, my sorrow — at the rascally conduct of my 
son — 

Mary. 
Oh, please don't speak of it — (hiding her head.) 

Chan. 
Oh, I must — I shall write him what I think ! 

Mary. 
You have heard from him? 

Chan. 
Yes, no, at least, a telegram. He is nearly at Rome 
— to-morrow he will be on his way to Egypt. 

Mary. 
( mechanically ) Rome — Egypt. 

Chan. 

I shall tell him that I consider his behaviour most 

shameful — to ruin and betray the daughter of a man 

73 



Cyi-us. 
Chandler. 



ACT II 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



1 Crosses to l. 



whom I respect as I respect your father — I shall 
say — 

Mary. 

Oh, please, no more — let me go * — (Much agi- 
tated. ) 

Chan. 
Miss Blenkarn. (Mary stops.) (Cunningly.) I 
may rely that you will not mention Captain Chand- 
ler's name — 



3L. 

* Door l. 



4 Takes hat 
from table. 

6 With a sigh 

of relief. 
6 Door L. 



(Mary, at door, looks him full in the face for the 
■first time.) 

Mary. 2 
Do you think it possible I could? (Exit.) 3 

Chan. 
Hum, she's a very foolish, quixotic girl ! However, 
we're well rid of her. I wish she had taken a hun- 
dred pounds or so. It would have made my con- 
science quite easy. Well, I did offer it to her ; it's 
her own fault. 4 Lucky I happened to come across 
that letter of Julian's. The young fool ! He'll soon 
forget her. 5 (Exit.) 6 

(Jesse slowly draws aside the curtain.) 
Jesse. 
What shall I do ? How shall I tell him ? I can't— it 
will break his heart. I'd better let it be, perhaps, 
then he'll never know. It's no business of mine — 
Nancy's sister ! And that villain gone off ! He might 
be brought back. Yes, it is my business, and if any- 
thing's to be done, it must be done now. Yes, I'll 
tell him. (Goes up to steps, shouts.) Mr. Blen- 
karn, sir, Mr. Blenkarn, do you hear, sir? Mr. 
Blenkarn. 

(The door at top of ladder opens, and Cyrus ap- 
pears. ) 
74 



THE MIDDLEMAN 

^Z 



ACT II 



1 Turns away 
l. c. 



Cyrus. 
What is it, Jesse? 

Jesse. 
I've got some news for you, sir — (Cyrus coming 
down ladder.) 

Cyrus. 
News, Jesse? Well, I'm so busy. 

Jesse. 
About Miss Mary. (Comes down a little.) 

Cyrus. 
(quickening his steps) About Mary ? What's that ? 

Jesse. 
Well, sir, she's — a 

(Cyrus comes to Jesse, examining his face. Jesse 
turns aside his face.) 

Cyrus. 

Not bad news, Jesse? (Jesse nods.) But she was 

here just now. There's been no accident ? She's not 

dead? 

Jesse. 

No- 
Cyrus. 

Thank God ! Thank God ! 

Jesse. 
(very sadly) Worse than that, sir. 

Cyrus. 
Worse than death ! (Pause.) What do you mean, 
Jesse? 

Jesse. 
(after a pause) I mean, sir, that Captain Chand- 
ler's as damned a villain as ever breathed. 

Cyrus. 

(is puzzled) Captain Chandler! My Mary! 
75 



ACT II 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



(Then shows he guesses.) It's a lie! (About to 
strike him.) 

Jesse. 
It's the truth, as I'm standing here ! Do you think 
I'd tell you a lie about such a thing, sir? 

(Cyrus stands overwhelmed for some seconds, then 
very quietly.) 

Cyrus. 

How do you know, Jesse ? 

Jesse. 
I heard it from Mr. Chandler's own lips just now. 
He offered Miss Mary money — 

Cyrus. 

(stung) He offered her money? Where is he? 
Fetch him to me. Where is he ? 

Jesse. 

(goes to window) He left here a minute or two 
ago. There he is, going to his office! (Goes to 
door, 1 opens it and calls.) Mr. Chandler! Mr. 
Chandler! You're wanted here! (To Cyrus.) 
He's coming, sir ! Oh, Mr. Blenkarn, you see what 
you've done ! You've made the father rich, and the 
son robs you of your own flesh and blood! Don't 
spare him, sir! Don't spare him! (Chandler en- 
ters.) 2 Mr. Blenkarn wishes to speak to you, sir. 3 
(Exit Jesse.) 4 

Chan. 
(suspicious, discomposed) Well, Blenkarn? 

Cyrus. 
He says — he says — my Mary — Captain Chandler — 
Oh, my God ! B 

Chan. 
I'm very sorry, Blenkarn — deeply sorry, I assure 
you. 

7 6 



' Crosses to 
door behind 
Chandler. 



8 Staggers t 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT II 



Cyrus. 1 
Then it's true! And you knew! You knew and 
kept it back from me ! 

Chan. 
I only learned it yesterday. 

Cyrus. 
Yesterday ? But that would have been in time ! He 
was here yesterday, and — ah! (Suddenly.) I took 
his money. I've got some of it now. He paid me ! 
He paid me! (Taking money out of pocket, dash- 
ing it on floor, trampling on it.) Curse his money! 
Curse his money! Curse — curse — curse — Money 
for her innocence — oh, my Mary! Would I'd 
died rather than this, my girl ! My girl ! My girl ! 
(Sits on steps and sobs violently.) 

(Chan, after a pause goes to him.) 

Chan. 
Come, Blenkarn, don't give way! 2 I sympathise 
with you — I do indeed, and I'll see what can be done. 

Cyrus. 
(rises) You will? I knew you would! Thank 
you, sir ! Thank you ! She's a lady — she won't 
disgrace your family. You'll send for him to make 
it right? 3 

Chan. 
I'm afraid that is out of the question, 4 but I'll do 
what I can for you and your daughter. 

Cyrus. 5 
There's only one thing you can do! It's his duty 
to marry her ! Send for him ! 

Chan. 
It would be useless! He's nearly at Rome by this 
time, and he cannot come back ! He's on his coun- 
try's business ! 

77 



with a cry 
of despair. 



Puts hand 
on Cyrus' 
shoulder. 



Eyes cast 
down as if 
ashamed. 



Goes down 
tivo steps. 



6 Looking up 
with dignity. 



ACT II 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Rise. Chan, 
turns facing 
him. 



Cyrus. 
His country's business! But he's ruined my child! 
And she — what will become of her? You'll send 
for him — you'll send for him. Tell me where he is 
and I'll go myself! Where is he? Send for him, 
write, telegraph, send for him ! I'll work for you ! 
I'll slave night and day ! I'll wear my fingers to the 
bone! Every hour of the rest of my life shall be 
yours, only save — (Falls on his knees to Chandler, 
looks up for a moment or tzvo, dumb with entreaty.) 
My child, save her ! Yes — yes — you will — you will 
— you must — you shall 1 — yes — please save her, save 
her, save her, save her. (Falls dumb and breathless 
on his knees against table.) 2 

Chan. 
(after a pause) This is quite useless, 3 Blenkarn. It 
can answer no purpose. 

(Cyrus, in removing hand from face, catches sight 
of letter on table. ) 

Cyrus. 
What's this? A letter from her. (Kisses it.) Oh, 
my dear, my dear ! ( Tears it open, reads. ) 

Chan. 
(watching him) Perhaps it's as well he knows! 4 
He's too fond of her to make it public ! And it will 
all blow over in a few days ! 

Cyrus. 
She's gone ! She's gone ! She's left me ! Left me ! 5 
(On his knees.) 

Chan. 6 
Well ! Well ! It's better for her to be away from 
Tatlow for the present! The truth need never be 
known ! Come, Blenkarn, rely on me to do every- 
thing that lies in my power for both of you. 

Cyrus. 
But you won't send for him ? 5 
78 



Going l. a 
little way. 



Head c 
table. 



1 Crossing to 
Blenkarn. 



Intense grief. 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT II 



Chan. 1 
I cannot. 2 I wish to act like an honourable man — 3 

Cyrus. 
But you won't send for him ? 4 

Chan. 
He wouldn't come. 4 But I'll provide handsomely 
for you — you shall be my under manager at the new 
works. 

Cyrus. 
But you won't send for him ? 5 

Chan. 
Really, Blenkarn, you make me angry ! 6 I'll do 
everything in reason! I'll make your daughter an 
allowance — any sum — 

Cyrus. 
But you won't send for him ? 7 
Chan-. 

Cyrus. 
Hear! Hear! 9 Thou that holdest the scales! 
Judge between this man and me ! A balance ! 
A balance! Give justice here! I've made him 
rich and proud — let me now make him poor and 
despised. He mocks at my grief. Let me some day 
mock at his ! Let me hold his flesh and blood as 
cheap as he holds mine! Show me some way to 
bring him to the dust! Give him and his dearest 
into my keeping! Make them clay in my hands that 
I may shape and mould them as I choose, and melt 
them like wax in the fire of my revenge ! 

Curtain. 



79 



No! (Exit.y 



1 Turns mcay 
one step. 

2 Turning to 
Blenkarn. 

8 Sneer ingly. 



Turns 
aivay. 



Angrily. 



8 Turns aivay. 



7 Pleadingly. 



9 Rises. 
Calls. 

1st picture. 
Cyrus discov- 
ered alone, 
distracted 
with grief. 
He gives a 
loud cry of 
anguish, and 
staggers to- 
wards win- 
dow as cur- 
tain de- 
scends. 

2nd picture. 
Cyrus seated 
by window 
lean ing on 
tabic, his 
face buried 
in his hands. 
Jesse stand- 
ing by his r. 
shoulder, try- 
ing to rouse 
him. Nancy 
standing c. 
reading 
Mary's let- 
ter. Both 
doors open. 

Time 50 min- 
utes. 



3 

Is 
I 




V 



it 



.^T 



#7* 




R. C. 
L. C. 



Cyrus, 
Nancy. 
Todd. 



* Three shovel- 
fuls. Flash 
each time 
coals put in, 

* l. between 
ovens. 



6 n., takes trial 
from kiln. 

' Puts iron 
with trial 
piece on 
bucket to 
cool. 



ACT III. 

Scenes — Shed containing Cyrus Blenkarn's fir- 
ing ovens or kilns. At back a door, and a 
•window, 1 giving a view of a landscape in the 
English pottery district at night, with kilns 
vaguely seen by the flickering lights their tires give 
out. Dozvn stage right a kiln burning; down 
stage left a kiln not burning; above it another 
kiln burning, with openings as in plan. A truckle 
bed dozvn stage left centre. A stool towards the 
right of stage. A table up against the window. 
A chair close to it. Seggars as in plan. The 
scattered remains of a heap of coal. 
Discover Cyrus, seated on stool, 2 gazing into the 
oven which throws a glow upon his face. He has 
aged considerably ; his hair has grown quite white, 
his face sharper and keener set — his whole appear- 
ance much wilder and poorer than in Act I — his 
dress quite in rags. He is apparently overcome 
with fatigue, and is almost asleep. Rouses him- 
self with a start. 

Cyrus. 
(looking intently into fire) The heat's going down ! 
I must keep it up. There's twenty more hours to 
burn! Nancy! Nancy! (Calling off , then goes to 
coal heap, scrapes up nearly all that remains, shoves 
it in kiln.) 3 What shall I do for coal when this is 
gone? 

(Nancy enters. 4 She is dressed in mourning, very 
plain and inexpensive.) 
Nancy. 
Yes, father. 5 

Cyrus. 6 
Go to the railway yard. Try all the coal merchants. 
Tell them I'm firing over a thousand more speci- 
mens, and I'm bound to find out the secret at last. 7 
80 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT III 



Nancy. 
(listless and despairing) It's no use, father. You 
know I went yesterday, They won't trust you any 
more. 

Cyrus. 
Go again ! If I don't have coal, these ovens will go 
out and all my work will be lost. Look, that oven 
has gone out. 

Nancy. 
Father, wouldn't it be better to give it up? 

Cyrus. 
Have you forgotten your sister ? 1 

Nancy. 
Mary is dead. 

Cyrus. 
( hard, tearless) Yes, she is dead. But the man who 
betrayed her is living. And his father, his father 
who might have saved her, is living. They live, 
these Chandlers, and I live, to humble them! 2 
Where's Jesse? 

Nancy. 



Cyrus. 



Asleep. 

Asleep? 

Nancy. 
You forget he's been helping you the last three 
nights, and has had no rest. 

Cyrus. 
What's to-day? 

Nancy. 3 
Thursday, and you haven't had any sleep since the 
night before you lighted the first oven. 

Cyrus. 
I want no sleep. 

Nancy. 
You can't keep on like this for ever! 
6 81 



1 Taking up 
stoking iron. 



Call 2. 
Chandler. 



* Stoking lower 
furnace. 
Flash. 



s Going to him. 



ACT III 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Cyrus. 
No, not for ever, but long enough — long enough. 

Nancy. 
Father, if you should break down, if you should die ! 

Cyrus. 
{with a calm, hard smile) I can't die till my work's 
done. Go and get me some coal ! Offer them any 
price, ten, twenty pounds a ton. Don't take any 



Stoking oven 
r. Flash. 



Oven down L. 
Crosses to l. 



1 Sits on 
truckle bed t,. 



denial ! I must have it ! I will have it ! l 

Nancy. 
Poor father! Is he mad, as all the people say? 
{Exit.) 2 

Cyrus. 
{taking up trial piece from bucket, puts it in water t 
looks at it.) No — it won't do— it's as soft as dough, 
and it should be as hard as my heart! (Todd en- 
ters.) 3 y 

Todd. 4 
{brisk, sprightly) Well, Blenkarn, how goes it? 
What's the latest? How are we getting on? 

Cyrus. 5 
Badly, Mr. Todd. That fire 6 went out yesterday. 7 

Todd. 
Well, wasn't it nearly time ? 

Cyrus. 
No, it ought to have been kept in a dozen hours 
longer at least. 8 

Todd. 
Have you got any of the specimens ? 

Cyrus. 

Not yet — the oven isn't quite cool enough yet. I 

shall be able to get at them soon. But I expect 

they're all spoiled, and if I don't get some more 

82 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT III 



coals, these will go out too. 1 Let me have five 
pounds more, Mr. Todd ? 

Todd. 
Not on our present agreement, Blenkarn. But I 
tell you what I'll do. I'll advance you twenty 
pounds more on condition that if you discover the 
secret of making the old Tatlow ware, I shall have 
the option of buying the patent from you for five 
hundred pounds. 

Cyrus. 
I don't sell my patent. 2 

Todd. 
But, my good man — look here, Blenkarn, you're a 
decent sort of fellow, and I want to do you a good 
turn. I'll advance you fifty pounds now, and give 
you a thousand down if you make the discovery. 
Come now, that's fair, isn't it? 

Cyrus. 
I don't sell my patent. 3 

Todd. 4 
You won't come to any arrangement? 

Cyrus. 5 
Our arrangement is made. You've lent me thirty 
pounds, and when I discover the way to make the 
old ware, you are to find some man with money to 
put me in business. 6 

Todd. 

Exactly — and I've got my capitalist ready, and the 
moment I say ' Go,' down he planks his ten thou- 
sand^ pounds and off we go in a gallop. But where 
do I come in, Blenkarn? (Plaintively.) Where do 
I come in ? 

Cyrus. 
You are to be my manager. 
83 



Rises, c/oes to 
Todd c. 



* Goes to oven 
up v. 



s Goes r. for 
shovel. 



6 Returning to 
oven up l. 



6 Putting on 
coals on fire 
of oven up l. 



ACT III 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



1 Goes to lower 
oven l. 



Todd. 
Oh no, it ain't good enough, Blenkarn. I must be a 
partner. 

Cyrus. 
A partner! (Cyrus looks at Todd and says noth- 
ing.) 1 

Todd. 
Aye, suppose you do make this discovery, you'll 
want working. Everybody wants working in this 
age. Advertise! Beat the big drum! Stick your 
name up at every railway station in England in big- 
ger letters than anybody else ! That's what does the 
trick with the great British public! Look what a 
great man I made of Mr. Chandler! And if you 
succeed in this invention, I can make a great man of 



J Crossing to 
oven r. 



Up K. 



* Rattling 
money in his 
pockets. 



you! 

Cyrus. 2 
I don't want to be made a great man by you, Mr. 
Todd. 

Todd. 
(looking at him, aside) If the old bird should find 
it out after all. It would be all U. P. with my friend 
Chandler — especially with his big Stock Exchange 
specs which always turn out wrong. 

Cyrus. 3 
The heat is going down still! Mr. Todd, let me 
have another five pounds. I'll give you fifty for it — 
I'll give you a hundred. 

Todd. 
Not a farthing, Blenkarn, unless I stand in with the 
profits. What do you say? 4 

Cyrus. 
( tempted for a moment, then firmly) No, my profits 
shall be my own for the future. 

Todd. 
You're a very obstinate, self-willed man. 
84 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT III 



(Chandler crosses the window.) 

Chandler ! Not a word to him about our little af- 
fair! 

Cyrus. 



I have no dealings with Cha/idler. 1 

(Chandler enters at back, shows slight surprise at 
seeing Todd. Cyrus sits on truckle bed.) 2 

Chan. 3 
(loud patronising voice) Well, Blenkarn ! (Cyrus 
takes no notice.) Blenkarn! 4 I hear you've got 
into very low water, and just to show you that I 
don't bear you any malice for leaving my employ, 
I've come to offer to take you back. 

Cyrus. 
I'm not so low as that! 

Chan. 
You were foolish to leave me after having been a 
faithful servant to me for so many years. 

Cyrus. 
I served you faithfully, did I? 

Chan. 
Yes, and you ought to have taken the position I of- 
fered you as second manager in the new works. 

Cyrus. 
I've done better. 

Chan. 
Come, come ! You know you're in debt ! 

Cyrus. 
Yes, I'm in debt. I owe you something, don't I ? 

Chan. 
There was a trifle. 

Cyrus. 
(with meaning) I shall pay you. 
85 



Crosses to L. 
Todd gets b. 



4 Comes in 
front of Cy- 
rus. 



ACT III 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Chan. 
Oh, I'll put that in the bargain. 

Cyrus. 
What bargain? 

Chan. 1 
I'll take you back for a term of six years at four 
hundred a year on condition that any little improve- 
ments you may happen to make in porcelain during 
that six years belong to me. I think that's a very 
generous offer, Todd ? Turning to Todd. 

Todd. 2 
Generous! It's magnificent! It's quixotic! 

Chan. 3 
Candidly, Todd? 

Todd. 
On my honour — you know I never flatter. 

Chan. 
Ah well, you heard my offer, Blenkarn, what do you 
say to it ? ^jZ 

Cyrus. 
Nothing. 4 (Turns his back on Chandler.) 5 

/ Todd. 
(beckons Chandler down stage; 6 the following 
conversation confidential) You're very well out of 
that ! He'll never discover the secret of the old Tat- 
low. 

Chan. 
It would be awkward for me, Todd, if he did! 
Here's trade falling off, and I'm bound to go on 
with the new works. And did you see there's an- 
other big fall in Cornubians again? 

Todd. 
I should sell out. 

Chan. 
And drop ten thousand ! It seems as if everything 
was turning against me. 

86 



Call S. 
Nancy. 



Rises. 



6 Goes up l. 
and is busy 
at furnace, 
h. v E. 

«R. 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT III 



Todd. 
You're safe enough. Can't you see he's as mad as 
a hatter ? x 

Chan. 2 
Think so ? 

Todd. 
Sure of it. I've pumped him. Poor old fellow, in 
less than three months he'll be in a lunatic asylum. 

Chan. 
(placidly) Well, I don't wish him any harm, but 
taking everything into consideration, perhaps that 
would be best for all parties. 

Todd. 
Exactly. Suit us all down to the ground. 3 

Chan. 
They're very kind to the people in such places? 

Todd. 
Treat 'em like righting cocks. Don't you trouble any 
more about his blessed old Tatlow — it's a dream, a 
myth, a delusion, a sell ! 

Chan. 
I hope so. ( Takes out his watch. ) Kempster was 
to be at the office at seven — you'd better go to him. 

Todd. 
Yes. Ain't you coming? 4 

Chan. 
I want a word with Blenkarn first. 5 

Todd. 
(aside) He means to nail him, and then what's to 
become of me ? 6 

Chan. 7 
What are you waiting for ? 

Todd. 

(apparently surprised) Eh? Simply absence of 

87 



Winks at 
Chandler. 



2 After a look 
at Cyrus. 



3 Cyrus is at 
oven l. u. e. 
taking trials. 



Cyrus goes 
up to ivindow 
and watches 
for Nancy. 

'' Going down 

L. 



Dotvn R. 

7 Turns round. 



ACT III 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



mind — unconsciously waiting for you — sort of wish 
that you would come with me. (Aside.) Hang it 
all! (Exit.) 1 v 7 



1 D. in F., R. c. 
then past 
window to l. 

* Goes up r. c. 
Cyrus dips 
trial piece in 
water, etc. 



Up stage l. 



* Throws 
down broken 
trial piece, 
and crosses 
to R. 



Picks up 
stoking iron. 



8 Stoking fire. 
8 Stoking fire 



(Chandler 2 looks at Cyrus. Cyrus takes no 
notice. Chandler fidgets with his umbrella, 
coughs. ) 

Chan. 
(embarrassed) Hm, Blenkarn! Blenkarn! This is 
really terrible about your poor daughter Mary. 

Cyrus. 3 
She doesn't need your pity. 

Chan. 
No, but I assure you the news of her death touched 
me very deeply. 

Cyrus. 
(looks at him) Ah! 

Chan. 
For the last two months I've been coming to offer 
you my sympathy, but I put it off and put it off ! 

Cyrus. 
Put it off a little longer. 4 

Chan. 
You don't want my sympathy. 

Cyrus. 5 
Not yet — I'll send for you when I want it. 6 

Chan. 
You're a strange man, Blenkarn! You don't seem 
to feel your daughter's loss. 

Cyrus. 7 
No, I haven't shed one tear. My heart has been dry, 
so have my eyes. I haven't thought much about her 
death. I've had other business. 8 When that's done, 
I shall have time to remember that she's dead, and 
I'll send for you. 9 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT III 



Chan. 
(aside) His favourite daughter dead, and he not 
troubling about it! Gives all his thoughts to his 
inventions! If he should make the discovery! I 
must buy him somehow! It won't do to run the 
risk! Yes, I must make it safe. 1 y/" 

(Enter Nancy.) 2 
Cyrus. 
(eagerly) Well, what do they say? 3 

Nancy. 
They won't trust you. 4 

Cyrus. 
Did you try all of them ? 

Nancy. 
Yes, every one ! I offered them any price they 
liked ! It was no use ! They know we have no 
money ! 

(Cyrus, with a gesture of despair, sinks upon stool, 5 
dazed and dejected. Chandler beckons Nancy 
to him.) 

Chan. 6 
He'd better come back to me! (Nancy looks en- 
quiringly at Chandler.) I've forgiven his in- 
gratitude, and I've offered to take him back at a 
salary of four hundred a year! 

Nancy. 7 
You're very kind, Mr. Chandler, but — (shaking her 
head.) He won't come. 

Chan. 
If he doesn't, you'll both starve. Come, you're a 
sensible girl. Give him a good sound talking to! 
Bring him to his senses! 8 (To Cyrus) Blenkarn, 
I shall consider that matter open ! I'll look in again 
in half an hour for your answer! (He looks at 
Cyrus, who sits absorbed taking no notice, then 
exit.) 9 

89 



Maude. 

(Purse). 
Jesse, 



UpR. 



* Crosses to c. 



D. in F., R. c. 

and off left. 



» Touching his 
shoulder. 



THE MIDDLEMAN 

f 

Nancy. 1 
(Looking at Cyrus, aside) Perhaps Mr. Chandler 
is right. It would mean rest and comfort for his 
old age, instead of beggary and work. I'll try! 
(Comes to Cyrus.) Father! (Cyrus is still ab- 
stracted. ) Father ! 2 

Cyrus. 
Yes, Nancy ! 

Nancy. 
Suppose these thousand specimens all turn out 
wrong, what will you do then? 

Cyrus. 
Make another thousand. 

Nancy. 
But you've sold everything — you've even parted 
with your collection — where's the money to come 
from for fresh experiments? 

Cyrus. 
I must earn it. 

Nancy. 
And if they turn out wrong, what then? 

Cyrus. 
Begin again. 

Nancy. 
But we shall starve. Father ! Hear me ! I'm your 
only child now. If you were to find out this inven- 
tion, and make a fortune, if you were to own all the 
county, you could only leave it to me. I don't want 
it. I don't want to be rich! But I do want food 
and clothes, and you know how many times lately 
I've not had enough to eat. 

Cyrus. 

It is hard. Have patience, Nancy ! Who knows ? I 

may have found out the secret ! It may be firing in 

one of these ovens now ! I must find it out soon ! 3 

90 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT III 



Cyrus 
laughs. 



Nancy. 
That's what you've said all your life. You began 
trying to make the old China twenty years ago, and 
to-day you're as far from it as ever. 

Cyrus. 
No, I'm twenty years nearer ! 

Nancy. 
You'll never be nearer! Father, if you love me, be 
wise at last. I don't beg for myself, but for your 
own sake. Give up this mad dream, 1 and spend the 
rest of your life in quiet and plenty. Take Mr. 
Chandler's offer. 

Cyrus. 
Ah! (Nancy drops on her knees.) Take Mr. 
Chandler's offer! Sell myself to the father of the 
man that robbed me of my dead, dear one, and per- 
haps brought her to her grave. Give up my life's 
work ! Give up all my labour and thought ! Ah ! 
That's like you, Nancy ! You never believed in me ! 
Mary, my Mary, you believed in me ! If you were 
here now! And I told you that death was better 
than living shame ! I didn't mean it, dear ! I 
wouldn't mind your shame if you could come back 
to me. I would help you bear it, and you would 
help me with your soft, low voice and loving ways. 
Mary! Mary! Mary! You wouldn't have spoken 
to me as your sister has done ! 2 

Nancy. 
(deeply touched) Father, forgive me! Forgive 
me ! 3 I didn't mean it ! I only said it for your own 
sake ! I'll never be unkind to you again ! Father, 
let me help you. Let me take Mary's place now she 
is gone! 

Cyrus. 

(kissing her) So you shall, dear! God bless you! 

God bless you ! ( Very tenderly, then looking round, 

remembering.) t I'm forgetting my work. 4 

9i 



8 Flinging her 
arms round 
him. Cyrus 
repulses her. 



Cross to 
oven, h. 1 



ACT III 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



1 Touching it. 



2 Comes to Cy- 
rus. 



Embracing 
her. 



Nancy. 
And I too! What can I do? That oven! Can I 
help you get the specimens out? 

Cyrus. 
No, it's not quite cool enough yet ! 1 I used such 
heat, Nancy, as I've never used before! And to 
think I had to let it out for want of coal ! 

Nancy. 
Perhaps some of the pieces may be thoroughly fired. 2 

Cyrus. 3 
That's right. Good girl. Call Jesse, and get him 
to fetch some wood. 

Nancy. 
(calling off) 4 Jesse! Jesse! 

Cyrus. 
He's not to touch the pieces in that oven. I want to 
take them out myself. (Looking at fires.) Going 
down! If they would but let me have a little more 
coal — a ton only! I'll try them again! I'll go my- 
self! 5 They must listen to me! They'll never let 
all my work perish for the sake of a few shillings ! 
Keep the fires up while I'm gone, dear. Get Jesse to 
help you. Don't let them go out. They mustn't go 
out ! They shan't ! Keep them white hot — they 
keep me alive! While they burn, my hope and life 
burn too! (Exit.) 6 y^ 

Nancy. 
(up at door) He'll never rest till he has done it, or 
till he is in his grave ! 

(Enter Maude.) 7 
Maude. 8 
(uncertain, timid) Nancy, I knocked at the door, 
but you weren't in the house. You'll forgive my 
coming here ? I came to tell you how sorry I was to 
hear — about Mary. 

92 



6 Nancy helps 
him on with 
coat. 



Door hi fiat 
r. c. and off 

R. 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT III 



Nancy. 
Thank you. (Restrained.) 1 

Maude. 
Nancy, what is this mystery about her? Why did 
she leaves us so suddenly ? 2 Why did she go away 
from England? There's no doubt she is dead? 

Nancy. 
What doubt can there be? We received the news- 
paper containing the account of her death. 

Maude. 
She died at sea, did she not? 

Nancy. 
Yes. 

Maude. 
What made her leave her home? 

Nancy. 3 
Please say no more. 

Maude. 
Forgive me. I ought to have known better than to 
have spoken. But, Nancy — don't be angry with me 
— it was not curiosity. It was because I loved Mary, 
and — we are friends, are we not ? (Nancy does not 
Speak.) Won't you speak to me? (Holds out her 
hand.) For Mary's sake, Nancy! 

(Nancy impulsively takes Maude's hand and kisses 
it.) 

Nancy. 4 
Thank you, thank you, Miss Chandler, for your love 
for her. 

Maude. 5 
(taking out purse) And, Nancy, you will let me 
help you. 

Nancy. 
No — I can't take any money from you, Miss Chand- 
ler. 

93 



Comes down 



Check lights at 
back. 



' Shows pain 
and embar- 
rassment. 



ACT III 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



°L. 

1 Remains h. c. 



(Jesse enters, stolidly watching.) 1 

V''' 
Maude. 2 

Don't show pride to an old friend, Nancy. 

Nancy. 3 
It's not pride, but I can't take your money, Miss 
Chandler. 

(Jesse comes stolidly down, 4 stares suspiciously at 
Maude. Maude shows embarrassment.) 

Maude. 8 
(confused) Oh, Mr. Pegg, you are not in our 
works now? 

Jesse. 
{stolidly) No. 6 

Maude. 
I hope you are well and happy. 

Jesse. 
Middling. (Stares at her.) 

Maude. 
(her embarrassment increases? — aside) He used 
to be so civil. What can have happened ? (Exit.) 8 

Jesse?. 
Why didn't you take the money? Spoil the Egyp- 
tians, I say! 

Nancy. 9 
I've promised my father never to take a favour from 
them. 

Jesse. 
Did you see the news in the paper this morning? 

Nancy. 
About the African expedition? 

Jesse. 
Yes. Captain Chandler has been distinguishing 
himself again. Daring act of bravery and hair- 
94 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT III 



1 Going l. 



Runs in 
front of her. 



Picks up 
stoking iron. 



breadth escape! I wish the black devils had killed 
him! 1 

Nancy. 
What good would that do now Mary is dead? 
You'll look after the ovens till my father comes 
back? 2 

Jesse. 
Don't go, Miss Nancy! 3 (Abjectly.) Don't go! 
While you're here, this place is like a little heaven 
below, and when you're gone it's like a little — other 
place. 4 

Nancy. 
And what are you? 

Jesse. 
When you're kind to me, I'm nearly good enough 
to be an angel, but when you despise and maltreat 
me I feel (vigorously stirring the furnace with 
poker) — I'm a lost spirit, pitchforking other lost 
spirits, and (gloating) 5 I like it. Oh, Nancy, do try 
to love me! Do try! If at first you don't succeed, 
try, try again ! Won't you try ? ( With abject per- 
suasion.) 

Nancy. 
No. (Firmly.) 

Jesse. 
(fiercely) You won't? (Glares at her.) You 
won't even try ? 

Nancy. 
(firmly and louder) No! (Jesse stands scowling 
at her. ) Listen to me, Mr. Pegg. 6 The more I try 
to love you, the more I don't succeed. Now per- 
haps if I weren't to try at all — 

Jesse. 
(eagerly, overjoyed) Do you think so? Then 
don't try to love me any more ! 

Nancy. 
Very well, (composedly) I won't. 
9b 



B Poking fire. 



Call 5. 
Cyrus. 



ACT III 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Throws doion 
stoking iron. 



■ Jesse goes to 
R., stokes fur- 
nace R. 
Nancy 
crosses l. 



Jesse. 
I mean — yes do. Can you bring me any good, 
sound, solid argument why you shouldn't marry me ? 
No, you can't ! * 

Nancy. 
Attend to the ovens. 2 That's right. Now we'll talk 
about something else. 3 

Jesse. 4 
No, now we're on the subject of marriage, let's argue 
it out. 

Nancy. 
No, we won't begin arguing before marriage. 
There'll be plenty of time for that afterwards. 

Jesse. 
Then you will ? Oh, it's too much ! It's too much ! 
It can't be true! Nancy, it isn't true! Is it true? 

Nancy. 
(very collected and calm) Not at present. Listen 
to me. I don't love you — 

Jesse. 
That's of no consequence. I — 

Nancy. 
Hold your tongue ! 

Jesse. 
(meekly) Yes. 

Nancy. 
I don't altogether dislike you — 

Jesse. 
Thank you, oh, thank you — thank you so very much. 

Nancy. 
Hold your tongue ! I daresay we might get on very 
comfortably together as man and wife. 

Jesse. 

I'm sure of it ! I'll take my oath of it. And — 
96 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT III 



Check limes. 

Call 6. 

Mr. Chandler. 

1 Jesse puts 
stoking iron 
down. 

2 Rise. 



Nancy. 
Will you be quiet? Now if I were to promise to 
marry you, Jesse, would you — 

Jesse. 
(jumping down her throat) Yes, that T would ! 
Anything. You shall have your own way in every- 
thing! Keep all the money! Go to Church or 
Chapel, just which you like! Keep the beer in the 
house so that I shall never have any excuse for going 
to a public! I'll never say an unkind word to 
you! I'll never get out of temper, even on 
washing day! I'll wait on you in health and sick- 
ness. I'll let you have your breakfast in bed! 
There, Nancy ! What more could I promise ? 

Nancy. 
Nothing. You certainly promise enough. 1 But I'm 
not thinking of myself. 2 Jesse, tell me, do you 
think father will ever discover the secret of the old 
Tatlow? 

Jesse. 
I'm afraid he won't, Nancy. 

Nancy. 
And I'm afraid too. But he'll never give it up. And 
we must encourage him and help him and take care 
of him in his old age. 3 

Jesse. 
He's your father, Nancy. He shall be mine too. 

Nancy. 
Thank you, Jesse. 4 I'm going to ask you to make a 
great sacrifice. I give you my word I will marry 
you — 

Jesse. 
'(with a frantic shout of delight) Oh! 

Nancy. 
Be quiet ! I will marry you — 
7 97 



* Comes to 
Jesse. 



Takes his 
hands. 



ACT III 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



1 Hand on his 
arm. 



Jesse. 
Oh! It's too much! 

Nancy. 
Some day — 

Jesse. 
No hurry, Nancy — at least, no great hurry. 

Nancy. 
I know you have saved some money. (Jesse shows 
disquiet.) You had nearly a hundred pounds. I 
want you to lend it to my father. Will you? * 

Jesse. 
(looks uncomfortable) I'm very sorry, Nancy, I 
would if I could, but it's gone ! 

Nancy. 
Gone? How? (Pause.) Where? 

Jesse. 
I've lent it to your father to carry on his experi- 
ments. 

Nancy. 
(deeply touched) Jesse! 

Jesse. 
He was afraid you'd be angry with him, so he made 
me promise I wouldn't tell you. 

Nancy. 
You lent it to him, though you knew it would come 
to no good? 

Jesse. 
I did it because I love you, Nancy. 

Nancy. 
(very softly, very quietly, giving him her hand) I 
will be your wife, Jesse. 

Jesse. 
Thank you, Nancy. You shall never be sorry. 2 

(Enter Cyrus at door in flat, 3 r. c.) 
98 



3 Turn up l. c. 
stage to- 
gether. 

» Stage has 
gradually 
grown dark- 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT III 



Nancy. 
Father ! What success ? * 

Cyrus, c. 
None ! They refuse me ! They laugh at me ! 



They 

tell me I'm mad! When I came to Tatlow, it was 
bankrupt, its trade was in ruin, its people starving. 
My invention, the fruit of my brain, fed it, and 
clothed it and brought it to prosperity ! And now it 
laughs at me and tells me I'm mad ! I suppose I am 
mad! I haven't fattened myself on another man's 
labour and tears ! I must be mad ! God made this 
world for parasites! I must be mad! A leech's 
mouth to fasten on your neighbour and suck all his 
blood from his heart ! That's sanity, and I'm mad, 
my girl, for I haven't done it ! 2 Ah, what have you 
been doing? The heat has gone down, and I shall 
never get it up again ! All my work will be lost ! 

Jesse. 
I'm very sorry. There's no coal. 3 

Cyrus. 
Some wood then ! 4 If I could only keep these fires 
in for a few hours longer ! Who knows I may have 
discovered the secret? And I shall lose it all for 
want of a little fuel! No, I won't though! (Seis- 
ing chair, breaking it up and throwing it on fire. ) 

Nancy. 
Father what are you doing? ( Trying to stop him.) 

Cyrus. 
Let me be! Let me be! I'm not mad! Another 
hour, another half hour may give me the secret I've 
been working for all my life ! ( Nancy again tries to 
restrain him.) Let me be, I say! They shan't go 
out while there's a stick or shred about the place that 
will burn. 5 Some wood, Jesse! The palings out- 
side ! Anything that will burn ! Get it ! D'ye hear ? 



1 Crosses to Cy- 
rus c. 



' Frantically 
embracing 
her, then go- 
ing to fur- 
nace R. 



* Jesse exit 

L. C. B. 



8 Jesse re- 
enter l. u. 



: 



99 



ACT III 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



You too, Nancy — make haste. (Nancy and Jesse y 
exeunt.) 1 (Looking round.) All my work lost if 
I can't keep these fires in. If I could get at this 
oven. It must be cool enough by this time. ( Tear- 
ing dozvn bricks. ) Come down, will you ? Let's see 
what you've done for me after all my labour for you. 
(Taking out specimens which are melted into all 
sorts of shapes.) What! Couldn't you stand it? 
(Taking out another.) I've shrivelled you, have I? 
You too? (Taking out another.) All alike, all 
good for nothing. Nancy is right — I'm no nearer 
than I was twenty years ago. (Another piece.) All 
to begin over again. All my life wasted. (Takes 
out a white vase, looks at it, whispers.) I'm not 
mad! No, but I'm dreaming again. I've dreamed 
it so many times, and always waked to find it only 
a dream. But — (Looks at it again, bursts into a 
long scream of delight. Jesse and Nancy enter y 
zvith a large log.) 2 Nancy, Nancy, look, my dear! 
Look, Jesse, I'm awake, am I not? Look! I've 
found out the secret ! Look ! Starve ? We're rich, 
my girl, rich ! You shall ride in your carriage, for 
I've done it ! I've found the secret at last ! I've 
done it! I've done it! (He kisses her, bursts into 
hysterical laughter? drops on bed, rocking to and 
fro. Knock at door.) 4 

Chan. 
(heard outside) Blenkarn! Blenkarn! 

Cyrus. 
Come in. (Enter Chandler.) 5 
Chan. 6 

I've been thinking things over, and I'll buy any 
patent that you may bring out. What's the matter, 



Blenkarn ? 

Cyrus. 
Nothing. You'll buy — ? 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT III 



Chan. 
I'll buy— What is it, Blenkarn? 

Cyrus. 
Go on — You'll buy — 

Chan. 
(looking at him) I'll buy — 

Cyrus. 
What? My body and soul? Buy back the past 
thirty years ! Buy back my girl from her grave in 
the sea ! Buy back the sweat of my brow and the 
strength of my hands that I've wasted for you? 
You'll buy! No, / buy now ! I buy you! Do you 
know the price I've paid for you? I've given the 
toil of my life ! I've given hunger and tears and de- 
spair and agony! I've given my child to be your 
son's mistress! That's the price I've paid for you, 
but I've got you ! I've bought you ! You're mine ! 
You're mine! You're mine! 

( Cyrus, laughing hysterically, staggers to bedside as 
Curtain falls.\ 



Nancy, Jesse, 
Cyrus,Chan- 

DLEK. 

1st picture. 
Cyrus seated 
on bedstead 
L. alternate- 
ly laughing 
and crying, 
vase in hand. 
Chandler 
amazed r. 
Jesse and 
Nancy at 
back. 

2nd picture. 
Cyrus still 
seated, fran- 
tically em- 
bracing 
Nancy, ivho 
is kneeling 
before him. 
Jesse stand- 



dler in door- 
way, just go- 
ing. 

Time.— 30 min- 
utes. 



IOI 



ACT IV. 



(Call 1). 
Chandler. 
Mrs. Chandler. 
Maude. 
Todd. 

1 L. c. 
* At back. 



At back of 
settee. 



Scene: — Tatlow Hall, as in Act I, but there are 
some changes in the furniture, and it is differently 
arranged. 

Discover Chandler, 1 with hands in pockets and in 
a despairing attitude. Enter 2 Mrs. Chandler 
and Maude crying. They are in outdoor clothes. 

Chan. 
Are you ready ? 3 

Mrs. C. 
Quite. I've sent everything on to Florence Cot- 
tages! Florence Cottages after Tatlow Hall! Six 
rooms after this ! 4 

Maude. 
Never mind, mamma ! We shall be all the closer to 
one another, and learn to love each other all the 
more ! 5 

Mrs. C. 
Joseph, couldn't we leave Tatlow altogether? 

Chan. 
Where could we go? It costs money to move, and 
I've got none. 

Mrs. C. 
(weeping) To have to leave our home the very day 
that Julian is coming back, to receive our hero, a 
national hero, at that place ! 6 

Maude. 7 
I don't think Julian will mind for himself. He was 
never selfish. 

Mrs. C. 
But what will his wife think of us? 

Maude. 

Let's hope he's married somebody very nice who'll 
102 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT IV 



think just as much of us in our new home as if we 
were living here ! 

Chan. 
You ought to have let me write to tell him I was a 
ruined man ! 

Mrs. C. 
He'll know it soon enough. Mr. Vachell might have 
allowed us to remain here a few days longer ! Can't 
you ask him, Joseph ? 

Chan. 
No. He writes I must be prepared to give up pos- 
session and to go out at twelve o'clock to-day. He 
has already kept the place going for us the last six 
weeks, and paid all expenses. 

Maude. 
It's almost twelve now. Come, mamma, let's take 
one last look round the old place. We may never see 
it again. 

Mrs. C. 1 
Who would have thought that it would ever come to 
this? (Going off at conservatory.)* 

Maude. 
Won't you come with us and say good-bye to every- 
thing? 

Chan. 3 
No. I don't want to be reminded of what I was 
and what I am. (Maude approaches slightly.) Go 
away, Maude. 

Maude. 
Poor papa! (Joins Mrs. C. in conservatory, and 
goes off.) 

Chan. 
It's a hard world! A blackguard, cruel, heartless 
world ! It's got no pity for a man ! 

Todd. 
(outside) Never mind! I'll find him! 
103 



Rising. 



Sitting c. 



ACT IV 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



c.fr 



* L. C.,puts 

hat on l. C. 
table. 



Sitting on 
settee l. c. 



(Call 2). 
Vachell (bag 
and papers). 



(Enter Todd at back, 1 very brisk, sprightly, in 
capital spirits.) 

Todd. 
Hillo, Chandler! 2 (Chandler rises and shows 
some respect to Todd.) How goes it? Just pass- 
ing, so I thought I'd give you a look in! So you're 
clearing out, eh? (Cheerfully.) 

Chan. 
Yes, Todd. 3 Vachell is coming at twelve to take 
possession. 

(Todd, sitting at his case in centre chair, regards 
Chandler for a few seconds with an expression 
of amused contempt, then in a cheerful, philo- 
sophic tone.) 

Todd. 4 
You've made a pretty mess of your affairs, Chand- 
ler. (Looks at him.) 

Chan. 
You needn't remind me of that, Todd. 5 

Todd. 
Oh, I'm always perfectly candid with you! You 
know I never flatter. You should have taken my 
advice, Chandler, and made me your partner. 

Chan. 
But Blenkarn hasn't made you a partner. 

Todd. 
No. You see Pegg being his son-in-law naturally 
came first. But I've got a rattling good berth! 
Much better than I had with you ! 

Chan. 
The business has increased a good deal, I under- 
stand. 

Todd. 

Rather ! We're coining money, like dirt ! This new 

104 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT IV 



Sits l. of 
Todd. 



ware is knocking everything else out of the market. 

Chan. 
I'm so glad! I'm delighted! I thought perhaps 
there might be a vacancy for an under-manager P 1 
(Todd whistles.) You might say a good word for 
me to Blenkarn, Todd. 

Todd. 
Ah! Well— 

Chan. 
The fact is things are much worse than I expected — 
there will be a much smaller dividend than I hoped. 
It's absolutely necessary for me to get some em- 
ployment at once to keep my family out of the 
workhouse. 

Todd. 
That's awkward. What the deuce made you plunge 
like you did on the Stock Exchange? 

Chan. 
I did it to right myself when I found things were 
going wrong, and you know the more I plunged the 
deeper and deeper I got in the mess. 2 Well now, 
did you ever know anybody have such bad luck as I 
had? 

Todd. 
Bad luck ? Bad judgment, you mean. 

Chan. 
But you advised me, Todd. You were my right 
hand! 

Todd. 
Not when I saw how things were going. While 
Batty Todd worked you, you were a big man. Now 
Batty Todd works Cyrus Blenkarn, he's the big 
man. I'll tell you a secret, Chandler ! It isn't you, 
it isn't Blenkarn, it's Batty Todd that's the big 
man. Batty Todd pulls the strings and — {Business 
of illustrating marionettes.) 
105 



Rises and 
crosses l. 



(Call 3). 
Servant. 
Sir Seton. 
Lady U. 



ACT IV 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



1 Comes to 
him eagerly. 



Chan. 
Oh, quite so, Todd, quite so! You know I always 
had the highest opinion of you! You're quite a 
genius in your way, Todd ! 

Todd. 
I am, and let me tell you, Mr. Cyrus Blenkarn is a 
devilish lucky fellow to get hold of such a chap as 
Batty Todd ! 

Chan. 
When do you expect Blenkarn back ? * 

Todd. 
Can't say. We haven't heard from him for two or 
three weeks. 

Chan. 
(piteonsly) I suppose you and Pegg couldn't give 
me a situation in his absence ? 

Todd. 2 
(clapping his hand on Chandler's shoulder) My 
dear Chandler, nothing would please me better than 
doing a good turn to an old friend like you. But, 
candidly, you wouldn't be worth a penny a month to 
us, candidly, you wouldn't. 

Chan. 
You don't seem to admire me so much as you used, 
Todd. 3 

Todd. 
(shrugs his shoulders) Well — umph. 

Chan. 
What would you advise me to do ? 

Todd. 
I should emigrate. 

Chan. 
I don't think I'm suited for that. 

Todd. 
Try something you are suited for. 



1 Standing 
side by side. 



io6 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT IV 



Chan. 
(piteoitsly) But what am I suited for? I managed 
the old works for twenty years. 

Todd. 
Excuse me! 1 / managed them. You took the 
money. 

Chan. 

Well, I was the head of the concern. 

Todd. 
The figure-head, you mean. 

Chan. 
I don't see what else I'm fit for. 

Todd. 
No, figure-heads aren't much use in the navigation 
of the ship, are they? 

Chan. 

(very low tone, piteously) I've come to my last 
shilling, Todd. 

Todd. 2 
Have you though? You don't mean to say it's as 
bad as that? Well, I must be going — 3 

Chan. 
(piteously) 4 You won't forget me, Todd? 5 

Todd. 
Rely on me. I won't forget you. 6 By the way, 
don't call again at my office. I'm so busy just now. 
If anything turns up, I'll let you know. Well, good- 
bye. (Cheerfully.) Keep your spirits up — hope 
things will turn out all right for you. 7 

Chan. 
Thank you, Todd. You were always a thoroughly 
good fellow. A perfect treasure to me ! I've always 



said so! 



* Rises briskly. 



s Crosses up 
r. and takes 
hat. 



* Crosses to c. 



Stopping 
him. 



6 Comes back 
to L. of Chan. 



Going up c. 



107 



ACT IV 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



1 At back c. 
from r. 

* Chan, gets r. 



5 Comes down 

c. 
• Comes down 

again to L. of 

Vachell. 

Vachell 

reading a 

legal paper. 

Todd tries to 

overlook. 

Vachell 

quietly 

closes paper. 



(CallU). 
Cyrus (notes). 



(Enter Vachell, 1 meeting and stopping Todd.) 2 

Todd. 
Ah, Mr. Vachell, welcome to your new home! So 
you've come to take possession ! I congratulate you ! 
Of course you'll live here for the future? 3 

Vach. 
No, Mr. Todd. 4 

Todd. 
No? 

Vach. 
No. 

Todd. 
Oh! You mean to let it? 

Vach. 
No, Mr. Todd. 

Todd. 
No? 

Vach. 
No. 

Todd. 
Ah! I see! A little investment! Going to sell it 
again, eh? 

Vach. 
No. 5 (Todd is puzzled.) 6 

Todd. 
(confidently) The estate won't be any good to cut 
up into building lots, you know! 

Vach. 
You don't think so? 

Todd. 
Sure it won't. 

Vach. 

Thank you. (Todd stands there a few moments 
puzzled.) I won't cut it up into building lots, Mr. 
Todd. 

1 08 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT IV 



Todd. 
No — no — I wouldn't! (Going off at back. ) What 
the deuce has he bought the place for? (Exit.) 1 

Vach. 
Mr. Chandler! 2 You received my letter? 
(Mrs. Chandler enters.)* 
Chan. 
Yes, we are quite ready to go. And I'm sure, 
Vachell, we're exceedingly obliged to you for your 
kindness in allowing us to remain so long. 

Vach. 
You needn't thank me. I have only acted upon my 
instructions. 

Chan. 4 
Your instructions? 

Vach. 5 
I have not bought Tatlow Hall for myself. It be- 
longs to a client of mine. 

Mrs. C. 6 
A client? 

Vach. 
It was his wish you should stay here till he could 
take possession himself. Yesterday I had notice 
from him he would be here at twelve to-day, and 
would require you to hand over everything to him 
personally. 

Chan. 7 
And who is the new owner of Tatlow Hall? 

Vach. 8 
I am not at liberty to mention his name at present. 
( Takes out watch. ) Excuse me ; I expect him here 
every moment! (Exit.) 9 

(Chandler and Mrs. Chandler look at each 

other.) 

109 



1 c. at back to 



1 Shakes hands 
with Chand- 
ler. 

3 From con- 
servatory, 
comes to 
Chan's R. 



(Call 5). 
Jesse. 
Nancy. 

Servant (letter 
on salver). 



ACT IV 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



* From con- 
servatory. 



Chan. 
Who can have bought the place ? x ( Maude en- 
ters.) 2 

Maude. 
Sir Seton and Lady Umfraville have just driven up. 

Mrs. C. 
It must be the Umfravilles ! They've got the money 
from somewhere, and bought Tatlow Hall back 



again 



* A t back. 
8 Come down 



7 Crosses to 
Sir S.. then 
to Lady U. 



Shakes 
hands. 



11 Crosses back 
to Lady U. 



(Servant enters, 5 and announces.) 
Servant. 
Sir Seton and Lady Umfraville. 

(Enter* Sir Seton and Lady Umfraville.) 5 

Mrs. C. 6 

My dear Sir Seton! 7 My dear Lady Umfraville! 

Chan. 8 
Upon my word, Sir Seton, this is really noble of you 
to call. It's touching ! 9 

Sir S. 10 
Hum — yes — " The fact is, Chandler, I ought to 
have come on this business before, but, as it was 
confoundedly disagreeable, I put it off till the last 
moment. But as your son is returning to-day — you 
know my position — now don't you think it would be 
very imprudent on all sides to allow this marriage 
between my daughter and your son to take place — 
eh? 

Chan. 
I had a letter from my son this morning in which he 
— ah — ra — he tells me — that — 

Sir. S. 
That he releases Felicia. Of 
able man he could do no less, 
his conduct. 

no 



course as an honour- 
Tell him I appreciate 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT IV 



Maude. 1 
Sir Seton, you had better know the truth from us. 
My brother writes that he has married abroad. 

Sir. S. 
Has he? I congratulate him. 
Lady U. 
Most heartily. 

Maude. 
He asks us to break the news to Felicia. 

Sir. S. 
We will — we will. And now it's passed off so 
comfortably, there's no harm in our mentioning 
that— that— 2 

Lady U. 3 
Our dear Felicia has received an offer of marriage 
from young Strangeways, the banker — 

(Chandler and Mrs. Chandler exchange looks.) 

Sir. S. 
So there's nothing more to be said in the matter ex- 
cept to congratulate Captain Chandler — and — to ex- 
press our sincere sympathy in your misfortunes, our 
deepest sympathy. 4 

Chan. 
We have to thank you for allowing us to remain at 
Tatlow Hall. 

Sir S. 
Remain at Tatlow Hall? 

Chan. 
I suppose it is Mr. Strangeways who has bought the 
place ? 

Sir S. 
Strangeways? No. Hasn't Vachell, the lawyer, 
bought it? 

Chan. 

No. Not for himself. Only for some client, who 
in 



At back of 
settee. 



2 Glancing at 
Lady U. 



Shakes 
hands with 
Mr. C. 



ACT IV 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Maude goes 
to door of 
conserva- 
tory. 



A t back. 
Mrs. C. drops 
down B. 



6 At back c. 
from R. 



0.1 calm. 



Crosses to 
Cyrus. 



" Through 
conserva- 
tory r. Va- 
chell crosses 
behind to it. 
of Chandler. 

10 Into conser- 
vatory R. 



has allowed us the use of the place and paid all the 
current expenses. 1 

Sir S. 
Indeed ! Who can it be ? 

Mrs. C. 
We cannot imagine. 

(Vachell enters.) 2 

Sir'S. 3 
Ah, Vachell ! You can explain. Who's the new 
owner here? 

Chan. 4 

Yes, Vachell — who is it that has been so kind to us? 

(Cyrus enters, 5 plainly, but welt dressed.) 

Vach. 6 
The new owner is Mr. Cyrus Blenkarn. 
(Cyrus comes down. All show great surprise.) 

Chan. 
Blenkarn! Then you — 

Cyrus. 7 
I will take possession of Tatlow Hall if you are 
ready to give it up. 

Chan. 
Yes, I am ready. But perhaps you'll allow me — 8 

Cyrus. 
{waves him off) Give everything over to Mr. 
Vachell. Mr. Vachell, please take possession of this 
place for me. 

(Maude and Mrs. C. exit. 9 Chandler is about to 
speak, but Cyrus waves him away, and Vachell 
ushers him off.) 10 

Lady U. 11 
My clear Mr. Blenkarn, I'm heartily glad we shall 
have you for a neighbour. You know I have always 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT IV 



considered you a man of the greatest genius. And 
I adore genius! 

Cyrus. 1 
Thank you, Lady Umfraville, I'm not a genius, and 
I don't like being adored. 

Sir S. 2 
If there's anything I can do for you in the county, 
Mr. Blenkarn, — you may have some idea of going 
into Parliament! 

Cyrus. 
No. (Absorbed.) 

Lady U. 
You must come and dine with us on Wednesday at 
the Court. We expect Lord William Vipond and 
the Strangeways and old Lady Devenish — 

Cyrus. 
I'm not used to meeting such people, my lady, and I 
shouldn't know what to say to them. ( To Vach- 
ell.) 3 Mr. Vachell, Mr. Pegg will be here directly 
to go through everything with you. (Vachell 
goes off.) 4 

Sir S. 
But we shall have the pleasure of seeing you at the 
Court some day ? 

Cyrus. 5 
No, Sir Seton, I've had to work all my life, and I 
can't begin to play now. I've done the one thing I 
set my heart upon. They told me I should never 
find out the secret, but I did it! (Triumphantly.) 
I did it ! And now it's done, I don't know what to 
do with the rest of my life ! I begin to wish I'd got 
all the ground to go over again ! 

Sir S. 

Come and see us sometimes. We'd do our best to 
make you feel at home. 

8 113 



* In front of 
settee. 



ACT IV 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



*R. 

» Rises. 

* C. to L. 

dropping his 
hat as he goes 
out. 

6 At window h. 



« Puts hat on 

table. 
7 At window. 



8 At window L. 



11 Comes to 
him, hand on 
his shoulder. 



Cyrus. 

No, Sir Seton, let me be! Let me be! My life's 
done ! But if you want to be kind to me, I have a 
daughter — (recollecting) I had two — and it was in 
this room — (giving way) the day before she left 
me — x (Breaks down utterly, hides his face in his 
hands.) 

( Sir S. watches him for a moment, then beckons to 
Lady U. and very quietly and unobtrusively takes 
her off. 2 Pause.) 

Cyrus. 3 
I can't stop here! I can't stop here! (Exit.) 4 

(Enter 5 Jesse Pegg, in high top hat and frock 
coat.) 

Jesse. 6 

(speaking off 7 in a very brisk, business-like, but not 
unkind tone) Come, come, Mrs. Pegg. You're 
late again ! Always late ! Come, come ! Are you 
coming, or are you not? 

(Nancy enters.) 8 

Nancy. 

I'm very sorry, Jesse ! I couldn't help it ! (Meekly.) 

Jesse. 9 
(takes out watch) Ten minutes this morning! 
Three minutes yesterday! Seven minutes at the 
Concert on Monday ! Twenty minutes you've 
wasted for me this week! It's a little too bad! 
(Shaking his head severely, but not unkindly.) 

Nancy. 10 

Ten minutes this morning looking after your son 
and heir — three minutes yesterday ordering your 
dinner — seven minutes on Monday making myself 
handsome enough to be seen with you. 11 
114 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT IV 



Jesse. 
Handsome is that handsome does, and the wife who 
wastes her husband's time can have very little mem- 
ory of all she promised him at the Altar. 

Nancy. 
Do you forget what you promised me before we 
went to the Altar? 

Jesse. 
I have no recollection, my dear, of having promised 
you anything in particular. 

Nancy. 
Oh, Jesse! You promised me everything! Every- 
thing ! 

Jesse. 
Did I? I don't remember being so foolish ! 

Nancy. 
It's very seldom, dear, that I keep you waiting. 

Jesse. 
Once a year, my darling, is once too often. 

Nancy. 
You know, Jesse, I'm always studying you. I'm 
thinking all day long how I can make you happy ! 

Jesse. 
Quite right, my dear, and you do make me happy. 

Nancy. 
Then give me a kiss and say you forgive me. 

Jesse. 
(kisses her in a very business-like way) There! 
There! I forgive you, but don't do it again. I 
wonder where your father is? x 

Nancy. 
To think that he should have bought Tatlow Hall ! 
Oh, if Mary were only alive to know it! 2 
115 



Turns up 
stage for a 
moment. 



* Crosses to 
back of set- 
tee. 



ACT IV 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Jesse. 1 
Poor Mary! It's strange your father hasn't been 
able to find out any particulars of her death ! 

Nancy. 
No — if she sailed in that ship, it must have been in 
another name. 

Jesse. 
I wish we had followed the track of that young 
widow-lady. 

Nancy. 
The one whose baby died — 
Jesse. 
Yes. It would have been a natural thing under the 
circumstances for Mary — 

Nancy. 
(looking off) 2 Here's Mr. Chandler coming! 
Don't let's see him, poor man ! It will seem as if we 
wanted to triumph over him. 3 

(Servant enters.)* 
Servant. 
A letter for Mrs. Pegg, very important. It has been 
sent on from your own house, ma'am. 

Nancy. 
Thank you! {Reads letter, shows great surprise 
and joy. ) 

(Chandler has entered from conservatory.)* 
Nancy. 
(with great delight) Jesse! Read that! Read 
that! 

Chan. 
(humbly) Good morning, Mrs. Pegg. (Holding 
out his hand.) 

Nancy. 
(while Jesse has read letter) Good morning, Mr. 
Chandler. We can't stay, Mr. Chandler. 
116 



* Moving 
away to l. 

* c. from r„ 
comes doivn 
R. of Nancy. 



(Call 6). 

Mr. C. 

Maude. 

Todd. 

Julian. 

Mary. 

Nancy. 

Jesse. 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT IV 



(She snatches hold of Jesse's arm, and hurries him 
off at windozv, letter in hand, beivildered.) 



Come along, Jesse ! Quick! Quick! (Drags Jesse 
off.) 1 V ' 

(Cyrus enters.) 2 

Chan. 
Can't stay ! Afraid I want to borrow money of 'em, 
I suppose. 3 It's a blackguard world to live in ! 4 

Chan. 5 
Mr. Blenkarn ! Could I speak to you for a moment ? 

Cyrus. 6 
Well? 7 

Chan. 
I wanted to say that I behaved very badly to you in 
the past. I ought to have paid you better for your 
invention. I ought to have taken you into partner- 
ship. I hope you will allow me to say I'm very sorry. 

Cyrus. 8 
You have said it. 

Chan. 
It was strange that I should build the new works for 
you to occupy! 

Cyrus. 

Very strange. 9 

Chan. 
Todd tells me in a few years they'll hardly be large 
enough. 

Cyrus. 
I daresay. 

Chan. 
I thought perhaps you might have a vacancy in some 
small way where I could be useful to you — some 
very small way — I'm not particular. 

Cyrus. 

I don't know of any, Mr. Chandler. 
117 



At window L. 
c. from l. 



* Going to- 
wards win- 
dow. 

* Cyrus comes 
down c.from 
h. He picks 
up his hot 
and is going. 



Comes down 
c. to corner 
of settee. 



• Half turned 
from him. 



ACT IV 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Turning on 
him. 



Goes up c. 



Ready for 
shouts and 
music. 



Takes no no- 
tice and 
turns away. 



Chan. 
It's hard to come down in the world after having 
been up in it all your life. 

Cyrus. 1 
It's hard Jo be kept down in it all your life without 
having a chance to get up. 

Chan. 
You'll find me a corner — you'll forget the past and 
give me a chance? 

Cyrus. 
I've nothing for you, Mr. Chandler. 2 

Chan. 
But in so large a concern, for an old friend — 

Cyrus. 
What! 

Chan. 
I may call myself a friend. 

Cyrus. 
No, I think not. You might have been my friend 
once — you remember — 

Chan. 
I remember. 3 I'm sorry I troubled you, but in a few 
days I may not be able to get even a meal. You 
wouldn't wish me to starve — 

Cyrus. 
(taking out note-case) No, I wouldn't wish you to 
starve. (Giving note.) That will provide for you 
for the time. 

Chan. 
(effusively) Thank you! Thank you! Blenkarn ! 
I'm very grateful, most grateful, I assure you ! And 
if any little situation should turn up — 



No, no. 



Cyrus. 



118 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT IV 



Going right. 



Chan. 
I know I don't deserve it, Blenkarn, but there's one 
who would ask you to forgive me if she were alive. 
Your daughter Mary — 

Cyrus. 
Stop! Don't you mention her name. Don't you 
remind me of her. 



Chandler exit.) 1 



V 



Cyrus. 

There's one who would ask you to forgive me if 
she were alive. Your daughter Mary. Oh, my 
dear, if I could call you back to me, if I could hold 
you once to my heart ! Mary ! Mary ! If you were 
alive, dear, this would be your home! Can't you 
hear me, dear? (Pause.) This beautiful home is 
all yours ! I've bought it for you ! And you will 
never come to it ! 2 Not all the money in the world 
will buy you back to me for one short hour ! What 
shall I do to your enemies, my dear? They're in 
my hands! Their very bread is mine to give or to 
refuse them! I can punish them! I can humble 
them to the dust! Shall I strike them down, dear, 
or shall I have mercy? If you were here to guide 
me, what would you tell me to do ? Would you for- 
give them, dear ? I've got my revenge, but it doesn't 
satisfy me. I don't want them to suffer ! I want to 
forgive them ! Tell me, Mary ! You were always 
kind and gentle ! Yes, you would forgive them, and 
I'll forgive them too! That shall be my revenge! 3 
(Calls off.) Mr. Chandler! Mr. Chandler! 

\y 

(Chandler, Maude and Mrs. Chandler appear m 
conservatory. They all enter. Y 

Cyrus. 5 

Mr. Chandler! You will be my under-manager at 

the works at a salary of four hundred pounds a year ! 

And you can live in the house that is vacant there ! 

119 



Ttirough con- 
servatory R. 



Rise, goes to 
conserva- 
tory. 



ACT IV 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Crosses to 
Cyrus. 



1 Maude retires 
to door of 
conserva- 
tory. 



2 Three distant 
shouts and 
music. No 2 
march. 



Glancing at 
Chandler. 



Chan. 
It's too good of you, Mr. Blenkarn! I don't de- 
serve it ! But I thank you with all my heart. 

Cyrus. 
Don't thank me! Thank the memory of my poor, 
wronged girl, that begged forgiveness for you ! 

Maude. 
You will accept my thanks, Mr. Blenkarn? 

Cyrus. 
Yes, my dear, for you were always kind to us. 
Nancy has told me ! 1 

(Noise of shouting and music outside, growing 
nearer.) 2 

Cyrus. 
What's the meaning of those shouts? 

(Todd enters hastily at window.) 3 

Todd. 4 
My dear Mr. Blenkarn, I congratulate you most 
heartily ! ( Warmly to Cyrus. ) Delighted to find 
you are the owner of Tatlow Hall! But Captain 
Chandler is making a mistake — 

Cyrus. 
Captain Chandler ? 

Todd. 
Yes. Didn't you know he is returning from Africa 
to-day ? 

Cyrus. 
No. And he's coming here ? 

Todd. 
Yes, of course — They've given him a demonstration 
for his bravery, and they're bringing him here to his 
father's house, 5 as he thinks. 

120 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



ACT IV 



(Looking off.) 
I'd better go and 



Cyrus. 
(to Chandler) Did you know of this? 

Chan. 
I knew he was returning to Tatlow, but it is not by 
my wish he comes here. 

Todd. 
And it seems he's bringing his wife with him. 

Cyrus. 
His wife? ! 

Todd. 
Somebody he's married abroad. 
They're coming into the house! 
stop them, shall I ? 

Cyrus. 
No, let them come, let them come, let them come. 1 
(To Chan.) What did you let him come here for 
if you wanted me to forgive you? Do you think I 
can bury the past now? No, I can't do it. I can't 
shelter and feed those who robbed me of her, and 
drove her away from me to die in a strange land. I 
can't do it. I have tried, but it's beyond me. 2 

(Band and music nearer, snouts outside. Julian 
rushes hurriedly in by window as if to escape 
crowd. ) 

Julian. 

I've got rid of them at last! 
home! Home! Mr. Blenkarn! 

Cyrus. 
(seizing him) My child! You robbed me of my 
child! My Mary! Answer to me for her! My 
girl ! Give her to me ! Do you hear ? My child ! 

Julian. 

(disengaging himself) Forgive me, Mr. Blenkarn! 
Then you never got our letters explaining? 



And here I am at 
(Meeting Cyrus.) 



Todd goes up 
stage. 



Three shouts, 
louder. 



121 



f 



ACT IV 



THE MIDDLEMAN 



Cyrus. 
Letters ? No. Explaining what ? 

Julian. 
I suppose we've got here before them. I wrote you 
explaining I'd done my best to right things. 

Cyrus. 
How? By bringing your wife here — here to the 
very place where — ? Well, let her come and know 
the truth about you from me. (Julian goes up to 
window.) Your wife! Bring her to me! I want 
to see her. 

Julian. 
You shall see her ! 



At window. 



* March, forte. 



Time.— 25 min- 
utes. 



Jesse and 
My wife ! 



(Music outside continued. Mary, 
Nancy jenter.) 1 

You shall see her! (Presenting Mary.) 

Mary. 
Father! (Holds out her arms.) 2 

(Cyrus cannot believe his eyes, looks at her for a 
few minutes, then snatches her into his arms and 
cries like a child.) 

Curtain. 



122 






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